University of Tennessee Athletics
Nelson Inducted Into Cotton Bowl Hall Of Fame
May 18, 2000 | General
The Columbia, Tenn., native called the Cotton Bowl for 26 years with the trademark greeting, "Hello everybody, I'm Lindsey Nelson." A true pioneer of sports broadcasting Nelson began his broadcasting career in Knoxville in 1948 and spanned five decades in which he covered thousands of sporting events. His tenure as the "Voice of the Cotton Bowl" began with the radio broadcast of the 1951 game. Three years later, he team up with Red Grange to cover the 1954 game, contest marked by Alabama's Tommy Lewis coming off the bench to tackle Rice's Dickie Moegle. He covered 17 consecutive Cotton Bowls beginning in 1970 and ending in 1986. Nelson's unique delivery, his colorful test-pattern sportscoats and his intense love for college football made "Big D" a special place to be every New Year's Day.
