R.I.P.: Radio, TV Sportscaster Jim Simpson

Jim Simpson

ESPN's first play-by-play announcer, Jim Simpson, died Wednesday morning in Scottsdale, Arizona, after a short illness, his family said.

He was 88, according to ESPN.

Simpson died surrounded by his family. A cause of death was not given.
Simpson called the World Series, Olympics and Wimbledon for NBC and did play-by-play for Super Bowl I for NBC Radio.

He was best known for his work on AFL games for NBC when he was hired by fledgling ESPN in 1979. It was a big move, a hiring coup that brought the instant credibility of Simpson's years of experience at the highest levels to ESPN.

At ESPN, he called college football, college basketball, college baseball, the USFL and the NBA.

In a statement, ESPN founder and first president Bill Rasmussen said, "On Jim's first visit to Bristol I met him at the airport and immediately experienced his warm personality. He brought tremendous credibility to ESPN in our early days, doing whatever was needed to help build the network. Jim was a television legend."

It was an honor 4 me @espn to call games with JIM SIMPSON /he was the 1st big star @ ESPN May he RIP https://t.co/TPAMuDjNwY

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 13, 2016

ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale, who joined ESPN in 1979 and frequently partnered with Simpson, said in a statement, "Jim Simpson was a legend at NBC who brought a standard of excellence to ESPN that set the tone for so many to follow. I was honored he was assigned to work with me as I was just starting out. He had a tremendous influence on me and assisted me early in my career. He was special. Jim Simpson was as good as it gets."

Besides his 15 years with NBC Sports from 1964 to 1979 and then ESPN, Simpson also worked for ABC, CBS and TNT.