Keith Jackson spent four decades with ABC enhancing broadcasts in a way few have, before or since.

Jackson is best known for his calls of college football games. It just didn’t feel like fall without hearing a “Whoa Nellie!” or other classic Jackson staples.

The Roopville, GA, native attended Washington State on the G.I. Bill after time in the Marine Corps.

He started on Seattle’s KOMO Radio and, later, KOMO TV. In 1958, Jackson became the first American sports announcer to broadcast an event from the Soviet Union, a crew race between the Washington Huskies and a Soviet team. He talks to Art Thiel about that and other topics.

The Star of the Year award annually presents an award named after Jackson to a distinguished member of the state media, This year’s award honored the late Mariners broadcaster, Dave Niehaus.

This video was part of a live webcast produced by Vomodo, a technology company that has provided services for ABC, FOX and CBS networks covering breaking news stories and live sports events.