Reviewing the highlights of his career and the importance of building a legacy
Dan Hicks, a tenured and respected sportscaster, passed away unexpectedly from an acute illness on Wednesday. Hicks’s wife of over thirty years, Hannah Storm, shared the news on social media Thursday morning and expressed the gravity of the loss for herself and their three daughters. NBC Sports released a solemn statement honoring his career and offering condolences to his family.
Hicks began his career in sports with a local radio gig in Tucson before moving to CNN as a sports reporter. He and Storm met at this time. Hicks came on board with NBC in 1992 and never looked back.
While Hicks had stints commentating NFL games, NBA games, and tennis matches, he was most recognizable to fans of golf, Olympic swimming, and Notre Dame football.
Countless tributes have been shared by networks, friends, and co-workers, all of whom have a deep appreciation and respect for Hicks as a person and for his contribution to the sports world. The legendary Al Michaels, who was Hicks’s NBC colleague until 2023, got emotional in his tribute during Thursday Night Football.
Highlights from a historic career
In the wake of the heartbreaking news, sports fans far-and-wide have taken to social feeds with their favorite calls and memories of Hicks’s remarkable play-by-play career.
Hicks was an integral part of several legendary football games. He’ll be remembered as the voice of the 2014 AFC Wild-Card game in which the Colts came back from a 28-point third quarter deficit to knock off the Chiefs.
Bottom of Form
He was also on the call for Notre Dame’s triple-overtime thriller against Pittsburgh in 2012. The historic November victory kept the undefeated season alive, which provided Notre Dame the chance to play for the national title.
The highlights of Hicks’s career extend far beyond football, though. A lot of his most notable moments came while all eyes were on Tiger Woods, including his famous line, “Did you expect anything different?” as Woods made a clutch putt to force a playoff, ultimately leading to his third U.S. Open victory in 2008.
Hicks was also the voice of Michael Phelps’s legendary gold-medal crusade at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The most famous call of his career, perhaps, came in the memorable 4×100 freestyle relay final as the United States men’s relay, which centered around Phelps, made an improbable comeback for gold and shattered the record books: “Here comes Lezak! UNBELIEVABLE AT THE END! HE’S DONE IT! THE U.S. HAS DONE IT!” Take a moment to watch it here.
Hicks broadcast portions of 16 Olympic Games, with an emphasis on swimming in the Summer and speed skating and alpine skiing in the Winter. Hicks took over as NBC’s lead golf announcer in 2000. He voiced 27 men’s U.S. Opens, 23 women’s, and countless other signature golf events.
He also became a familiar voice to loyal followers of Notre Dame, College Football’s most prestigious program. Hicks was slated to be on the call for Saturday’s matchup between the Fighting Irish and Boston College.
We all build a legacy
As far as sports go, Hicks left an indelible legacy. The evidence is in the love fans, friends, family, and fellow broadcasters have shown. Great memories of great moments in sports history will be relived for decades and across generations, and those moments will always have Hicks’s voice ingrained in them. Hicks has undoubtedly influenced another generation of broadcasters with his steady tone and balanced energy in the booth. His imprint will be unforgettable.
Each of us is building a legacy of our own. There is value in being remembered as a family man, or as having an impact on your industry. Living a virtuous life and remaining faithful to those closest to you are good things, even by the world’s standards. Ultimately, though, believers have a responsibility to build a lasting legacy that points people to Christ, even if it means our own names are forgotten.
Leaving an enduring impact does not require an influential platform. Many of the qualities seen across Hicks’s career, like his commitment, endurance, and passion, are key ingredients for anyone to leave a legacy. If channeled toward Christian living, our commitment, endurance, and passion will glorify Christ and point others to him.
We are all entrusted by God with time, skills, resources, and people. How we choose daily to steward each of those contributes to the legacy we are building. What are you building?
In Romans 12:1-2, this looks like becoming a living sacrifice through a life marked by counter-cultural obedience. In this life, focus ought not be on our own gain but on ensuring the next generation knows Jesus. Passing down the truths of God is pleasing to Him (Psalm 78:1-7) and an expectation for the church (2 Timothy 2:1-2).
Unexpected deaths are always a reminder of the futility of life. Tomorrow is never promised, but how we respond to that truth matters greatly. The abruptness of death does not have to breed hopelessness and fear. Instead, it can spur us along in our faith and the urgency of sharing the gospel.
Who, in your life, needs to hear the eternal hope of Jesus this week?
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