Two Voices and Friends-Bob Fulton and Jim Phillips

I have to admit I got a little teary eyed yesterday afternoon when the news of the death of Bob Fulton began to circulate. Bob Fulton, and my dad, Jim Phillips, were synonymous with athletics at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. They were not athletes or coaches, but rather the fans connection to their favorite sports teams through their combined 75 years of radio broadcasts of Gamecock and Tiger sporting events. In this age of 24/7 television sports, only those of us over 40 can remember back when it was the radio that brought far away games to life, and Bob Fulton and Jim Phillips were peerless in the craft of radio play-by-play. They painted the audio picture of touchdowns, jump shots and home runs to an entire state, cementing their legacy as legends.

But Bob and my dad shared far more than a joint profession, they were truly great friends. As my dad described it, it was an odd relationship. Bob was usually tied down with USC events while dad was similarly occupied by Clemson activities, so they really didn't see alot of each other. But that did not stop them from forging a bond that transcended sports, and remained, even to death. Theirs was a friendship built on mutual respect and a similar background as mid western transplants to the south who found a home, and built a legacy that will never again be equalled.

I could recount many memories of Bob and dad. A few that immediately come to mind are the two working together, something they really enjoyed, at the College World Series in 1977 or on numerous High School Football North/South games. I remember the emotion of Bob when dad arranged for him to be honored on the field at halftime of Bob's last Clemson/USC game in 1994. And of course, I remember Bob Fulton subbing for dad on the Clemson radio network that Saturday after dad died and calling, flawlessly I might add, a Clemson touchdown drive to the amazement and joy of Clemson fans everywhere.

But I believe another, less well known story, best illustrates the special friendship these two radio legends enjoyed. I do not remember the exact year this took place, but I was there so the details are accurate. It occurred before a Clemson/USC baseball game in Columbia one spring.

Bob was usually laughing and joking whenever you saw him. Whenever he and dad got together, it was a great time. But on this particular day, Bob was not acting his normal self. He was quiet and engaging in just pedestrian conversation, and soon it was apparent he had something to tell dad he was not anxious to tell him. Finally, Bob spoke out and told dad his grandson, Danny Johnson, had signed to play basketball at Clemson. Me and dad had a big laugh about the "voice" of the Gamecocks son playing basketball at Clemson, but Bob was still uneasy. He continued slowly, finally revealing something he wasn't quite sure how to reveal. Not only was Danny Johnson, grandson of Bob Fulton, to play basketball at Clemson, USC's arch rival. The hard part for Bob was to tell dad his grandson was black.

Bob was most certainly proud of his grandson, but back then, and sadly, even today, many look at race above all things. He was concerned his grandson may be in for a special ribbing at the hands of some Clemson fans. I just remember me and dad looking at each other and busting up laughing at this point, as we knew something Bob did not know.

It was at this moment my dad reached into his pocket, and pulled out his wallet. In it were pictures of a beautiful young black girl. As he showed Bob the pictures, dad proudly proclaimed; "Bob, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter, Erica." Now this is a Christian blog, so I won't quote what Bob said here, but it was followed by that loud baritone laugh he was so well known for. In a moment of simple human connection, these two radio legends had seen their friendship come to even a deeper level. A strong bond became an unbreakable one, as shared angst became shared experience.

I will miss Bob Fulton greatly. He was a true gentleman and class human being. He and my dad were alike in many ways, mostly though, in their love for the people who followed their teams through their voices. Era's end, and the era of the great radio announcer who learned the trade when radio was king, is about gone. Only a few, Jack Crystal(at Mississippi St.), Woody Durham(at North Carolina) and Johnny Holliday(at Maryland) are still active. Larry Munson(formerly of Georgia) is retired and ailing. We'll never see these kind again. But let us remember, they were more than just radio guys who found fame in our state, they were true friends. May God be with the family of Bob Fulton, and I pray that in heaven, a new voice is singing our Lord's praises.