Tag: Larry Michael

Washington Commanders reached out to Frank Herzog after 18 years

The final installment of our interview with the legendary voice of Washington’s franchise, Frank Herzog. Frank discusses coming back for Sonny’s jersey retirement and how good everyone in the organization was to him.

Frank Herzog was in this 26th season broadcasting all of the WMAL Washington Redskins football games from 1979-2004.

But all good things must come to an end.

This is the fifth and final installment in our Commanders Wire feature on Washington broadcast legend Frank Herzog.

Part one.     Part two.     Part Three    Part Four

December 2004, Frank Herzog remembers a broadcast producer expressed, “Hey, our Christmas party is this weekend, and I think you should go.”

“Ok, I can go, I guess,” replied Frank. “No, I think you ought to be there. You need to show your face.”

Herzog initially found that odd but went and was introduced to a man from the CBS parent offices in Philadelphia. Then the man showed up in the broadcast booth that Sunday. “Sure enough, following the season, there was a meeting at a coffee shop in Montgomery Mall, and I was informed they were not bringing me back the next (2005) season.”

“I was puzzled, of course, but I had to learn to accept it. What else can you do? Those are the facts of life.”

18 years later, the Friday before the season finale, Herzog found Julie Donaldson and Bram Weinstein reaching out to him on the phone, apologizing Herzog had not been officially invited to Sonny Jurgensen’s jersey retirement on Jan. 8.

Donaldson and Weinstein wanted Herzog at FedEx Field. Even more, they wanted him in the booth during some of the broadcast as well. The Commanders made all the travel arrangements. Sunday, Frank was on a flight from Wilmington (NC), arriving at noon.

“They had a chauffeur (Pierre) in a big black SUV meet me and drive me to FedEx. They escorted me to my suite, then to the broadcast booth for the pre-game segment with Julie Donaldson. Employees and fans were so nice to me, greeting me and welcoming me. I was treated as first class.”

Donaldson had asked Herzog during the pregame show to do his legendary call (“Touchdown, Washington Redskins”), but he kindly declined, stating he had only done the call during actual game broadcasts (1979-2004) and would prefer to keep it that way.

That is Herzog, the professional, the man who was skilled in his craft. He doesn’t want the call to ever become corny or silly. He wants it to be remembered as it actually was, in the heat of NFL competition.

Donaldson was also professional, apologizing to Herzog during the on-air segment for his not having been officially invited. She even stated she was partly responsible and expressed her love and respect for the work Herzog had accomplished. She demonstrated class and humility.

Invited back for the third quarter Herzog sat and interacted with Weinstein, Donaldson and London Fletcher on the broadcast.

Weinstein (49) grew up listening to Herzog and was the sideline reporter during the 2006-2008 seasons.

Upon landing the job, Weinstein had even reached out to Herzog for professional advice. “I am certainly aware I am only the third play-by-play announcer for this team since 1979 (Herzog, then Larry Michael (2005-2019). I respect the legacy of this team, and Frank is a big part of it.”

“When the third quarter began, I was so happy Frank was there with us,” Weinstein expressed with gratitude.

While the Commanders were driving down the field on the Cowboys in the third quarter, Weinstein mentioned to Herzog that Washington might score a touchdown.

A few plays later, Washington had the ball at the Dallas 9-yard line. Here was the call from Bram Weinstein: “Howell, play-action, Howell keeps. Runs back to the center of the field. At the 5, into the end zone! (pause).

When Howell crossed the goal line, Weinstein had laid out (paused), and looked to Herzog, who instantly finished the call with, “Touchdown, Washington Commanders!”

“Frank was right on cue with his famous call, ‘Touchdown Washington Commanders!‘ “said Weinstein. “For me, it is an incredibly cool moment. To have that moment with him is something I will never forget.”

When I spoke with Herzog two days later, Frank said it was such a moving moment for him as well. He was grateful to both Donaldson and Weinstein. Their thoughtfulness had given him a very special day, something he, too, will never forget.

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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?

New report alleges Dan Snyder played major role in sexual harassment culture in Washington

A new report in Washington alleges that Snyder may have been at center of sexual harassment and abuse allegations.

A new ground-breaking story detailing sexual harassment and exploitation has come out in Washington, this time directly alleging that team owner Dan Snyder took part in some of the crude activities that he denied participating in earlier this offseason.

Separate from a report that 17 women had accused members of the Washington Football Team front office of sexual and verbal harassment, the Washington Post reported Wednesday that more than 100 current and former employees allege that Snyder has presided over an organization in which women say they have been marginalized, discriminated against and exploited during his 21 years as owner of the team.

Many of the women who came forward did so after seeing Snyder’s comments from the report last month in which he tried to distance himself from the situation and culture in the franchise, according to the Washington Post.

In the new report, The Post interviewed a former cheerleader in Washington who claims that Snyder directly humiliated her in 2004. Here is an excerpt from the report describing that situation:

One of the women interviewed for this story accused Snyder of directly humiliating her, the first such claim made to The Post. Former cheerleader Tiffany Bacon Scourby said Snyder approached her at a 2004 charity event at which the cheerleaders were performing and suggested she join his close friend in a hotel room so they “could get to know each other better.” Scourby’s account was supported by three friends she spoke to shortly afterward about the alleged incident, including the team’s former cheerleader director.

Another former employee, Brad Baker, who was a member of lead team broadcaster Larry Michael’s staff, told The Post that Michael instructed them to create a DVD containing graphic material from Washington’s cheerleader calendar shoot in 2008 at Snyder’s request.

The lewd outtakes were what Larry Michael, then the team’s lead broadcaster and a senior vice president, referred to as “the good bits” or “the good parts,” according to Brad Baker, a former member of Michael’s staff. Baker said in an interview that he was present when Michael told staffers to make the video for team owner Daniel Snyder.

It is unclear what will happen going forward, and whether or not the NFL will further look into this seemingly disastrous and destructive culture in Washington. This time around, however, it seems that Snyder will be more the target of investigation than he was in times past.

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Washington hires Julie Donaldson to head up radio broadcast

Former NBC Sports Washington anchor Julie Donaldson was hired to take over the radio broadcast in Washington after Larry Michael’s departure.

Washington made a big move on Tuesday by announcing the hiring of former NBC Sports Washington’s Julie Donaldson to head up their radio broadcast going forward. Her first task will be to replace former play-by-play announcer, Larry Michael, who abruptly retired last week just a day before allegations came out about his role in alleged sexual abuse cases in the organization.

With NBC Sports Washington, Donald was both an anchor and reporter, but now will lead the radio broadcast team in Washington, while serving in other on-air roles and holding a senior-level position in the organization. She will be the first woman to be a regular member of an NFL team’s radio broadcast booth, according to NBC Sports Washington. 

A bunch of reporters in Washington who know Donaldson well seemed ecstatic about this hire, heaping praise and congratulations on her using social media Tuesday morning.

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Report: Washington NFL team hires Julie Donaldson as exec, radio announcer

The Washington NFL team is adding a female voice to its radio booth.

The Washington NFL football has added NBC Sports Washington anchor and reporter Julie Donaldson to replace the organization’s longtime radio voice Larry Michael, it was reported Tuesday.

Per NBCSportsWashington:

Donaldson will lead the radio broadcast team, serve in other on-air roles and hold a senior-level position in the organization. She will be the first woman to be a regular member of an NFL team’s radio broadcast booth, according Westwood One.

Donaldson’s role will be similar in some ways to the one previously held by Larry Michael prior to his abrupt retirement last week on the eve of sexual harassment allegations in a Washington Post story, but it is expected to include new and different areas of oversight.

In a decade-long career with NBC Sports Washington, Donaldson was an anchor, reporter and host. She covered major sports stories and nearly every team in the Washington-Baltimore area.

The Washington Post is reporting Donaldson will be the team’s senior vice president of media and be in the broadcast booth during games but will not do play-by-play like Michael did.

A person with knowledge of the situation said Donaldson’s first task as head of media will be hiring a new play-by-play announcer to replace Michael, who retired last week a day before a Washington Post report published in which 15 former female team employees accused Michael and other high-ranking officials of sexual harassment.

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Report: 15 female former Washington team employees allege sexual, verbal abuse

The Washington Post reports a culture which ignored or condoned verbal abuse, sexual harassment existed within the Washington Redskins.

The Washington NFL football team and front office of the organization is being accused of pervasive sexual harassment and verbal abuse, according to The Washington Post.

In a report that was released on Thursday, 15 female employees of the team say that they were often met with “what they characterized as relentless sexual harassment and verbal abuse that was ignored — and in some cases, condoned — by top team executives.”

Per the Post:

“[Emily]Applegate is one of 15 former female Redskins employees who told The Washington Post they were sexually harassed during their time at the club. The other 14 women spoke on the condition of anonymity citing a fear of litigation, as some signed nondisclosure agreements with the team that threaten legal retribution if they speak negatively about the club. The team declined a request from The Post to release former female employees from these agreements so they could speak on the record without fear of legal reprisal. This story involved interviews with more than 40 current and former employees and a review of text messages and internal company documents.’

Several men were accused of verbal abuse and harassment, and according to the report, among them was Larry Michael, the longtime radio announcer who surprisingly retired Wednesday afternoon. Alex Santos, who was fired as the team’s director of pro personnel over the weekend, has also been accused of abuse, as was Richard Mann II, an assistant director of pro personnel, who was also terminated.

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Washington play-by-play announcer Larry Michael announces retirement

Washington’s long-time play by play announcer Larry Michael announced his retirement on Wednesday after 16 years with the team.

ESPN’s John Keim reported on Wednesday that Washington’s play by play announced Larry Michael is retired from his career in broadcasting.

Michael, who has been with Washington for 16 years, is calling it quits and looking forward to the next chapter of his life. According to Redskins.com, Michael has also served as the Chief Content Officer for Washington recently.

The 12-time Emmy Award winner will be replaced by someone going forward, but it is not yet known who will take his spot. In his retirement statement, Michael said that he wants to thank Dan Snyder for giving him the opportunity, and he is blessed to have worked with so many great people.

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