Legendary college basketball analyst Billy Packer has passed away at the age of 82 years old according to his family. His son Mark informed the media that he had been hospitalized in Charlotte, North Carolina for three weeks with several medical issues. Kidney failure was his listed cause of death. The longtime CBS analyst was on the broadcast team for 34 Final Fours including 27 with CBS. His final call for a Final Four was in 2008. With three-plus decades under his belt calling games he voiced major moments and had several iconic lines in his career in college basketball broadcasting.
“Simon says championship.”
RIP, Billy Packer. One of the great voices of college basketball for decades.
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) January 27, 2023
The Chairman of CBS Sports Sean McManus released the following statement about the passing of the legendary analyst: “Billy Packer was synonymous with college basketball for more than three decades and set the standard of excellence as the voice of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. He had a tremendous impact on the growth and popularity of those sport. In true Billy fashion, he analyzed the game with his own unique style, perspective and opinions, yet always kept the focus on the game. As passionate as he was about basketball, at his heart Billy was a family man. He leaves part of his legacy at CBS Sports, across college basketball, and, most importantly, as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all.”
Billy Packer played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 1958 to 1962 but really impacted the game with his voice as an analyst. The CBS analyst also called plenty of ACC games in his time as a voice of college basketball. He also leaves behind three children in Mark, Liz, and Brandt. He will be remembered as one of the great voices of the sport as it was growing into what it has become today. We here at Def Pen Sports have his family and friends in our thoughts at this time.
