"It's a bea-u-ti-ful day for football!!!!'' ---Bill Grigsby's signature opening for KC Chiefs broadcasts (no matter what the weather actually was!!)
Bill Grigsby on the cover of his 2004 book.
02-26-2011/02-28-2011 KANSAS CITY BROADCASTING ICON BILL GRIGSBY DIES Veteran Kansas City Chiefs broadcaster and Kansas City icon Bill Grigsby, 89, has died. The always jovial Grigsby, constantly upbeat about his local teams and an admitted "homer" for his beloved Chiefs, who he covered for 46 years, had retired last year after a phenomenal 62-year career in broadcasting covering all kinds of sports in all kinds of leagues. It seemed as if there was never a civic or social event that did not involve Grigsby, who emceed charitable events his entire life. He lived in Parkville, MO, where he was known as "The Prince of Parkville." With his health declining due to cancer, the Chiefs honored him with an on-field pre-game ceremony during the 2010 season with a replay of some of his most memorable play-by-play calls. “Like all Chiefs fans, our thoughts and prayers are with Fran and the entire Grigsby family at this difficult time,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said on the team site. “Bill’s voice brought some of the most memorable action and exciting plays in Chiefs history to our fans. He will be truly missed.” Grigsby had been honored with the Regional Media Hall of Fame Award from the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University. He has also earned spots in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame. He was a member of the KC Media Legends group. He and his wife, Fran, were the parents of five children. According to Randy Covitz, who has written a superb tribute to where he called Grigsby "A Civic Treasure," services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Therese Catholic Church in Parkville. A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the church. (Link to wonderful tribute written by Josh Looney on the Chiefs' site.) (Link to Len Dawson's video remarks.) KSHB veteran sports director Jack Harry called Grigsby "The most positive guy I've ever seen in my life." The Kansas City Star brought back Joe Posnanski to write a tribute to Grigsby (2/28) Chiefs have compiled a video of Grigsby broadcasting the Chiefs championship.
KMBC'S LARRY MOORE REMEMBERS FRIEND Bill Grigsby was a dear, dear friend. He lived life to the fullest. I never saw him when he didn't have a smile on his face. He greeted everyone with a gracious and sincere hello. For many years we were fellow parishioners at St. Therese Catholic Church in the northland. We alternated Sundays serving as lectors at Mass. What churchgoers didn't know was that we were also supplying the beloved pastor, Msgr. Victor Moser, with jokes for his homilies. Some of the jokes worked and some fell flat. Bill loved meeting our Dream Factory honorees at Chiefs games. My daughter and I introduced him to the child the Chiefs were honoring in September. Bill was in his wheelchair and he was as gracious and happy with that youngster as he was 20 years ago. It was also the day that the Chiefs were honoring Bill. It was the last time I was with him in public. Bill Grigsby was an icon of Kansas City. He will be missed.
Larry Moore
Copyright 2010/2011 Bottom Line Communications. BLC is a Media News Web site that analyzes media and marketing issues. Please give proper credit or link to http://www.bottomlinecom.com when using materials contained herein. Click on the FEEDBACK tab to send any media tips/comments/thoughts. BLC honors all off-the-record requests and will correct/clarify any information found not to be 100% accurate.
