Jim Gray

Jim Gray started his career as an intern and a video tape editor back in 1977. Working his way up the ranks, Gray established himself quickly and has been a network television and national cable sportscaster. Over the course of more than four decades, he has worked with CBS Sports, NBC Sports, ESPN, ABC-TV, and is currently with Showtime, Fox, and Westwood One Radio.

His career highlights include coverage of numerous Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, MLB World Series, NBA Finals, NCAA Final Fours, Masters Golf Tournaments, and hundreds World Championship Boxing matches. Gray has also broadcast on numerous occasions the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, NBA and MLB All-Star Games, National Football League AFC and NFC Championship Games, and Major League Baseball American and National League Championship Series Games, the Rose, Sugar, Cotton, and Orange Bowls. He has reported on literally thousands of games and events in his career, as well as hosting a number of high profile prime time specials. Gray has been on the live radio or television broadcast of the Super Bowl 23 times, which is the most in NFL history.

Through out his career, Gray has earned numerous awards and honors.

He has won 12 national Emmy Awards for journalism and reporting. Gray was named Sportscaster of the Year in 1998 and 1999 and “Sports Reporter of the Year” by his member peers of the American Sportscasters Association. In 1997, Jim won the prestigious “Broadcast of the Year Award” presented by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association for his interview with Mike Tyson following “Tyson vs. Holyfield II.”

Twelve times Gray has been named Sports Reporter of the Year by the USA Today, and that same publication in April 2005 named Gray the country’s best sports reporter of the past quarter century.

In June 2018, Gray was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In his career, Gray has broadcast more than 1200 World Championship Title fights, and more than 2300 total bouts, including 3 Olympic Games. Gray was also inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Gray graduated from the University of Colorado in 1981 earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Journalism.

In 2004, Gray was inducted into the Colorado Hall of Excellence, honoring those who have uniquely achieved or made special contributions in the States history.

In March 2005 Jim was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles City Council. Gray is one of a very few sportscasters who has been honored with this prestigious award.

On the radio, since 2001, Gray has been the long time host of Monday Night Football and the Super Bowl for the NFL on CBS Radio Sports and Westwood One. For the past decade he has done MNF with Tom Brady and Larry Fitzgerald joining him each week in the pregame and halftime. During that same period, he has been the host and reporter for the NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game.

For 25 years for the Masters Golf Tournament, Gray called the action on holes 15 and 16 and also handled the interviews for the broadcast.

Gray has conducted tens of thousands of interviews. Among the highlights are having interviewed Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush (41), Clinton, Bush (43),Obama, and Trump. In addition, Jim has interviewed and questioned Soviet President Gorbachev, South African President Nelson Mandela, the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, and the last man on the moon, Gene Cernan. He has interviewed many other world leaders, celebrities, and sports stars, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Mike Tyson, Wilt Chamberlin, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Julius Erving, Bart Starr, John Wooden, Bill Belichick, Don Shula, Carl Lewis, Michael Phelps, Floyd Mayweather and numerous others.

Gray’s career and achievements have been lauded and chronicled by many.

“Jim Gray’s breaking of numerous sports stories has raised the level of sports journalism…I started my career in sports broadcasting and I have a special affinity to that profession. I’m proud of his accomplishments.” President Ronald Reagan- February 1, 1988

“From boxing to baseball, from golf to the Olympics, Gray brings a depth of knowledge and experience to every event and interview that draws fans closer to the action and enhances their understanding and enjoyment of the sports they love.” President Bill Clinton – January 12, 2001

“Jim Gray is the finest sports reporter of not only his generation, but perhaps of all time.”
Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC Sports – October 15, 1999

“He is not afraid to ask the tough questions and hold people to a higher standard. He has become the standard of excellence in his field by which all others will be measured for years to come.” Al Davis, Owner Oakland Raiders – November 1, 2004

In 1978, at 18 years of age, Jim conducted his first interview. It was with Muhammad Ali. Almost three decades later, Ali granted Gray his final interview on television.

“Jim Gray is the best in ring or sideline and game reporter ever. He is the me of his profession - “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali – Feb. 8, 1998

Throughout his adult life, Jim has been involved in numerous charities around the country having served countless benefits as the master of ceremonies and devoting his time and energy to many philanthropic endeavors including The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Jim and his wife Frann, established the Jim Gray Scholarship Fund at the University of Colorado which grants scholarships at the University’s School of Journalism to top students.