Tag: Frank Herzog

Washington’s Frank Herzog from news to sports Reporter

In the second part of our interview with Frank Herzog, he discusses how he went from working in the news to getting into sports.

Washington’s WTOP radio had no idea whom they had hired when Frank Herzog came aboard in 1968.

Initially a copy boy making a mere $2 an hour, then a production assistant editing audio for the WTOP radio newscasts, Frank desired to do some actual reporting.

This is the second installment in our Commanders Wire feature on Washington broadcast legend Frank Herzog. Here is part one.

Working the weekends at WTOP, doing some radio reporting he suddenly found himself making his first TV appearance reporting at the penitentiary in Jessup, Maryland in what Frank believes was 1971 or ’72.

WTOP TV9 was broadcasting a 15-minute Redskins highlights segment on Sunday nights and a producer approached Frank one of his weekends at WTOP radio, asking Frank if he would like to voice over the highlights. Herzog hesitated because he was in radio, not television. “Don’t worry about it; I will cue you for each play,” was the reply to Herzog. “He put together the highlight package, wrote the script, sat out of view of the camera, and would signal me each new play to read the script, and that’s how I started in sports.”

“The ratings went crazy, through the charts,” expressed Herzog. Warner Wolf the weekday WTOP 9 sports anchor hearing of this, then wanted the segment himself.” Herzog quickly learned the big guns would receive the first choice in what work they performed.

Herzog was being noticed as doing a good job in news reporting when he was approached in December 1972 by a WTOP producer, Fred Farrar. A fellow reporter had called in sick. WTOP needed a reporter and fast!

Farrar was “asking” Herzog to go to RFK to report the playoff game against the Packers. Herzog insisted, “Freddy, I know some football, but not that well, to cover an NFL playoff game.”

“Frank, just do your news reporting, who, what, when, where and why. I will lead you through it to the press box and then you do some interviews and you will be fine.”

It was Herzog’s first NFL work. It went so well for Herzog that he was assigned to the game the next Sunday as well. Keep in mind, this was not the preseason or regular season. The defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys were coming to RFK to face the Redskins in the 1972 NFC Championship game, for a ticket to Super Bowl VII.

Again it went well and Herzog’s work as a reporter did not go unnoticed. Monday he sat in on a WTOP meeting. “I was sitting there thinking, ‘I have reported two NFL games. Are you kidding me? Are they talking about sending me to the Super Bowl?’ ”

“Freddy and I were sent to LA for a week, covering all the hoopla for Super Bowl VII. But of course Washington lost to Miami. But that is when I began as a sports reporter. I had been in the right place at the right time.”

A year later when the play-by-play announcer did not want to do a Bullets broadcast (on what Herzog thinks was Christmas Eve), he approached Herzog inquiring if he might like to do the Bullets game himself. Herzog agreed to, and it was his first time at play-by-play announcing an NBA game.

In 1975 he was approached by the WTOP director, informing Herzog, “We think you should go into play-by-play announcing.”

“You get me a team, and I’ll do it, replied Herzog.”

“Ok, we already got the Bullets PBP job for you.”

“I felt awful. Tony Roberts was the Bullets PBP announcer. So I responded, ‘But what about Tony?’ ”

It was explained to Herzog they were moving in a different direction. They thought with Herzog’s news and sports reporting experience he could handle it. But if he didn’t want the job, they would find someone else.

“So, I got the job.”

Frank Herzog had gone from copy boy to production assistant, to radio news reader, to news reporter, to sports reporter, a sports reporter covering Super Bowl VII, to PBP announcer for the NBA’s Washington Bullets in only seven years.

Next time: Frank Herzog the voice of Washington Champions

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Frank Herzog happy Commanders reached out to him

Frank Herzog spoke to Commanders Wire about his weekend attending the Sonny Jurgensen jersey retirement and how he got his start.

Last weekend was one Frank Herzog will likely never forget.

Friday, January 6, he was talking with Kevin Sheehan on The Team 980’s “The Kevin Sheehan Show.”  When the topic became the Sonny Jurgensen jersey retirement, Sheehan inquired if Herzog was going to be in attendance at FedEx Field for the season finale against Dallas.

Herzog stated he was not and was going to watch it in the comfort of his home. Sheehan then asked if Herzog had been invited. Herzog calmly replied he had not and clearly did not push the issue any further.

Understandably, Sheehan was frustrated Herzog had not been invited, voiced it and the Commanders became the object of scorn and ridicule for the next couple of hours on social media.

Herzog departed for a short period of time and upon his return found a  message on his voicemail. It was Julie Donaldson of the Commanders. She was apologizing for the fact that Frank had not been officially invited. Herzog says she was clear she wanted him there to participate in the finale honoring Sonny Jurgensen. “I was caught completely by surprise,” expressed Herzog.

When they connected a few moments later, Donaldson explained to Herzog there had been earlier discussions of having Herzog come, but between the Jurgensen family requesting only family and a few close friends, the organization regrettably had not followed up on it to get him there.

The Commanders conveyed to Herzog they would fly him and get him to FedEx. They wanted him there. “Sure, I’d be happy to come, ” and they made the flight arrangements Friday for Frank.

It was great for Herzog to be wanted by the organization. He had certainly earned it, having been the play-by-play announcer for Redskins football games from the 1979-2004 seasons. He broadcast four Washington Super Bowls, and five NFC championship games and did all of them with a Redskins legend on both sides of him, linebacker Sam Huff and quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.

Sam Huff, Sonny Jurgensen and Frank Herzog
Photo courtesy of Julie Donaldson and the Washington Commanders.

But Herzog wasn’t always famous and in high demand in Washington, D.C. He had spent some time in the United States Air Force in the 1960s in tech school at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. He got his first experience working in radio, on the weekends at KGKL spinning records.

Frank came to Washington DC, would enroll at American University, majoring in Political Science, and wanted to continue working in radio. He nagged the boss for a job, and the boss finally relented and offered a position as a WTOP copyboy making $2 an hour.

Frank took the job and worked up next to the production assistant position which involved taking news feeds from the network and editing them to put on the WTOP station broadcast.

“When the boss asked me why I wanted the WTOP job I replied, ‘Because my foot is in the door.'” It would prove to be the first of several large doors Frank would get his foot into over the next decade.

On Monday (part two) Frank Herzog from news reporter to sports play-by-play announcer

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Another huge blunder by the Commanders organization

The team later invited Herzog to share memories of Jurgensen during the broadcast booth Sunday.

The Commanders have whiffed BIG TIME again!

How in the world can the Commanders not invite Frank Herzog to Sonny Jurgensen’s jersey retirement?  Jason Wright, how can this be?

Even further, how can the Commanders not invite Frank Herzog to lead the ceremony?

Jurgensen, in a long-overdue ceremony, will have his No. 9 officially retired Sunday in the season finale against Dallas. The organization should have retired No. 9 decades ago out of respect for his accomplishments.

In addition, shouldn’t they have possessed enough consideration for the now 88-year-old legend not to have him standing out in the January cold?  Why wasn’t this scheduled for September or October? Where is the common sense?

Herzog, a guest on the Kevin Sheehan Show Friday morning, expressed when asked that he was actually not invited to the special occasion, though he worked with Jurgensen for over two decades.

Jurgensen and Herzog spent 22 years together in the three-man booth of Frank, Sonny and Sam (Huff) on Redskins radio football broadcasts from 1981-2004. Three seasons earlier, Herzog became the play-by-play announcer, replacing Dan Lovett.

The organization’s decision to retire Sean Taylor’s jersey before a Hall of Famer, who in addition was part of the famed three-man booth for the franchise for over 35 years, was contemptible and blameworthy.

Once again, the Washington Football organization is displaying a huge lack of awareness, expertise and wisdom. Good grief, Dan Snyder himself knows who Frank Herzog was and why he absolutely needed to have been invited.

Former announcer Larry Michael as well, without question, if asked, would have mentioned Frank Herzog as needing to be on the invite list. I wonder if they even realize Jurgensen’s later announcing teammates Larry Michael and Chris Cooley should also be invited?

Can it be expressed enough how many times the organization mishandles and taints aspects of these celebrations?

Of course, after Herzog’s appearance on the radio with Sheehan Friday morning, Herzog did receive an invitation, per Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

We often try and give the organization a pass for some things because much of it has been outside of their control. However, they have control over alumni relations. If you’re going to honor Jurgensen, shouldn’t you do a little research on his history before planning any type of ceremony?

Too often, does the team try to right a wrong after the fact? This is another one of those instances.

Sheehan was told by the team the reason Herzog wasn’t initially invited was that Jurgensen’s family requested a small, “mostly family” event, with the exception of a few, including Billy Kilmer.

Perhaps, that is correct. But then why invite Herzog after seeing the backlash of not inviting him in the first place? This team is too reactionary. How many instances recently did the team change course once they were criticized?

Here’s hoping for a good day for Jurgensen on Sunday.

Julie Donaldson: Leading an NFL Radio Broadcast Team

Part two of our interview with Commanders senior VP of content and media Julie Donaldson.

Part two of Commanders Wire interview with Julie Donaldson, the Commanders senior VP of media and content. Part one was published Tuesday morning.

Having hired DeAngelo Hall to be the analyst for the Washington broadcast team, who was Julie going to hire for the play-by-play announcer?

The franchise possesses a storied history of talented PBP announcers including Frank Herzog (1979-2004), Larry Michael (2005-2019), and Steve Gilmartin (1964-1973).

Donaldson was immediately flooded with hundreds of applicants. She explained it is such a rare opportunity, a very coveted, esteemed job. “It was very hard for me. I did not have much time to make these decisions and the preseason games were quickly going to be upon us.”

Donaldson admitted that with Covid and the time restraints upon her for such major decisions, immediately upon taking the job, there were nights she did not sleep well.

“The PBP announcer had to be open to working with me, the first female in a full-time radio booth for an NFL team. He had to want to work with me. Donaldson conveyed this not in a proud, pushy tone. Rather it was one of admission of the reality of the situation. She had been named head of the department. Would a good announcer be willing to take the job and right away?

Bram Weinstein had worked at ESPN and WTEM in Washington. A lifelong Redskins fan born and raised in the DMV, he earned his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism at American University.

Yet, Weinstein had never called an NFL game previously, and the preseason would begin in one month! Weinstein, badly wanting the job, quickly watched games, practiced calling games and sent recordings to the organization.

There were other more experienced announcers wanting the job, but Julie knew Weinstein. She knew his passion for this football team. In her mind, he would be the right choice for this job, to broadcast for this team. She wanted him on her team.

The first 2020 regular season game, a home 27-17 win over the Eagles was a thrill and also intimidating, conveyed Donaldson. She discussed how for a decade she had reported on the team on camera and done many pregame and post-game shows, but this was her first live-game broadcast. And she was now the boss.

Donaldson understandably questioned herself, “Do I belong here?” She was also feeling the self-inflicted pressure of needing to do a good job, which can sometimes morph into wanting to do a perfect job. But of course, we all learn, that is not going to happen, and we need not put that unrealistic pressure on ourselves.

She expressed she had to remind herself of her extensive experience and trust that she could adapt to adding this new role for her in the booth. Donaldson and Weinstein were huge fans of the team and Hall was a former Washington player. “We all wanted them to do well. That first game was emotional for each of us.”

“Looking back, I was a little giddy as well. The quickest thing I had to learn after that first game was when it was not my turn to be talking, to shut up so listeners could hear Bram on the play-by-play. We needed to give Bram his time to call the play and wait our turn.”

“I heard the criticism, and that is okay. To ensure we are going to be a better product, I am always in favor of constructive criticism, and I hope I always am (in the future).”

To be continued: Growing the department, growing as a person

 

 

 

Washington at Giants 50 years ago: Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer

The Giants and Washington, 50 years ago, Billy Kilmer replacing the injured Sonny Jurgensen at quarterback.

Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, the Commanders and the Giants have been in the news this week.

Boy, does THAT bring back memories.

Similarly to this 2022 season, Washington in 1972 was coming into the road game against the Giants feeling really good about themselves. After an early season 24-23 loss at the Patriots, George Allen had reinserted Sonny Jurgensen as his starting quarterback. Washington had defeated the Eagles 14-0 and romped the Cardinals in St Louis 33-3.

In Sonny’s third start, the offense started slowly against Dallas, falling behind 13-0 and 20-7, but then Sonny, Larry Brown and Charley Harraway played key roles in a terrific come-from-behind 24-20 victory in front of a frenzied home crowd at RFK.

After the great comeback win over Dallas, Sonny led the Burgundy and Gold (5-1) to New York to face the Giants (4-2). In those days, the Giants played their games on the grass field of Yankee Stadium. Unlike modern-day field accommodations,  the Yankees had played 81 games on the field, and the Giants would play half of their six exhibition games on the field and seven regular season games. There was no time for the field to recover, and the NFL season was thus very destructive to a grass field.

In the first quarter, Jurgensen on a drop back went untouched; however, he stepped in an uneven spot on the turf and tore his Achilles tendon. Billy Kilmer took over, and Washington would lead by as much as 23-9, winning 23-16 for their fourth straight win.

Kilmer had taken over for Jurgensen, and George Allen’s best team (1972) would go on to win nine consecutive games, the NFC East at 11-3, and the NFC Championship before losing to the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl VII.

George Allen created his own narrative, and Jurgensen was treated unfairly as if he himself was divisive. Allen went as far to prohibit Jurgensen from the sideline during the Super Bowl, though Kilmer desired Jurgensen’s help.

Kilmer more than once defended Sonny, stating the two actually remained good friends and that Jurgensen was always attempting to help Kilmer as quarterback, wanting the team to win. George Allen was sometimes paranoid, but that is another story for another day.

This week we learned the present organizational leadership apparently knows little to nothing of this past bond between Kilmer and Jurgensen. Kilmer told Thom Loverro he would love to be a part of Sonny’s No. 9 being retired on Jan. 8, 2023, in the season finale against Dallas. “Nobody has said anything to me about what’s going on. I want to come up.”

After playing for Washington from 1964-74, Sonny was part of the radio broadcast team from 1981-2018.

Sorry, but I have to ask, will the organization understand that Frank Herzog, Larry Michael and Chris Cooley need to be there as well?