Jim Hawthorne Named ESPN’s Top Play-by-Play Announcer: A Voice That Defined LSU Sports
Jim Hawthorne’s voice is more than just the sound behind a broadcast; it’s the soundtrack of generations of Louisiana State University sports. For over four decades, he brought every thrilling touchdown, buzzer-beater, and ninth-inning rally to life for Tiger fans across the country. Now, ESPN has officially recognized what many in Louisiana have known for years: Jim Hawthorne is the best to ever do it. In a major announcement this week, ESPN named Hawthorne as the top play-by-play announcer in the history of American sports broadcasting, an accolade that cements his legacy as not just a Louisiana legend, but a national icon in the world of sports media.
To understand why Hawthorne earned this honor, you must understand what he meant to LSU and what LSU meant to him. Born in Anacoco, Louisiana, Hawthorne didn’t just stumble into the booth; he grew into it. From his earliest radio jobs in the region to taking over the LSU mic in 1979, he always carried a deep-rooted respect for the games he called and the communities they represented. He didn’t see broadcasting as a job but as a responsibility—to the athletes, to the university, and most of all, to the fans who hung on his every word.
What set Hawthorne apart wasn’t simply his voice, though it was unmistakable: warm, engaging, a little gritty but always full of energy. It was the emotion he brought to each game and the authenticity with which he told the story unfolding in front of him. Whether it was a baseball regional in June or a rivalry football game in November, Hawthorne made it feel like the most important game of the year. That’s a rare talent—the ability to make every moment count, even the ones that might otherwise get lost in the long seasons of college athletics.
His call of Warren Morris’s walk-off home run in the 1996 College World Series still gives goosebumps. That moment—one of the most dramatic finishes in college baseball history—was made immortal by Hawthorne’s perfect balance of shock, joy, and reverence. “A home run! I don’t believe it! I do not believe it!” he cried as Morris circled the bases. In that instant, he wasn’t just calling a play; he was voicing the disbelief and euphoria of an entire fan base. Decades later, fans still recite that call word for word, not because they watched it on YouTube last week, but because they’ve had it memorized since the day it happened.
Football? He was there through every twist and turn—coaching changes, national championships, and heartbreaking losses. He called the “Earthquake Game” in 1988 against Auburn, where the roar of the crowd registering on the seismograph was matched only by the thrill in Hawthorne’s voice. He rode the emotional rollercoaster of the 2007 season that ended with a national title. Through it all, Hawthorne was the emotional center of it, never overstepping the action but always elevating it. Fans trusted him. They trusted his descriptions, his pacing, his feel for the game. Even in the most chaotic moments, he was their steady guide.
And in basketball, during both the peaks and valleys of the program, Hawthorne’s calls were a unifying force. When LSU made the Final Four in 2006, his voice again provided the rhythm of the Tigers’ improbable run. Fans recall the way he built up drama, respecting the game’s tempo, never rushing, always letting moments breathe before punctuating them with his signature inflection. It wasn’t about shouting the loudest. It was about knowing when to shout—and when to say nothing at all. That instinct can’t be taught. Hawthorne had it in spades.
But it wasn’t just the big moments that made Jim Hawthorne great—it was the way he made every game feel personal. Whether LSU was playing Alabama or Alabama A&M, whether it was in front of a packed Tiger Stadium or a quiet midweek crowd at Alex Box, he showed up with the same energy, the same preparation, the same respect. For longtime listeners, turning on the radio and hearing his voice meant they were home. He was the conduit between the fans and the field, and he treated that connection as sacred.
That connection was never clearer than when he announced his retirement in 2015. The outpouring of love from the LSU community was overwhelming. Players, coaches, colleagues, and fans alike all had their own “Jim stories.” The common thread through them all was admiration—not just for his talent, but for his humility and dedication. He wasn’t flashy. He didn’t chase fame. He chased the truth of the game. That’s what made him great.
Even after stepping away from the mic, Hawthorne remained a beloved figure around Baton Rouge and in the wider LSU family. He showed up to events, lent his voice to special tributes, and continued mentoring young broadcasters coming up in the ranks. He was never one to speak about legacy, but his legacy was undeniable: a generation of sports broadcasters citing him as an influence, thousands of fans naming him as the “real voice of LSU,” and now, ESPN placing him at the very top of the play-by-play pantheon.
In naming him the greatest of all time, ESPN cited not only his longevity and talent, but also his impact. That’s the word that keeps coming up—impact. It’s a word that doesn’t show up in stat sheets or highlight reels but is felt in the heart of the culture. Hawthorne didn’t just narrate games—he shaped how generations experienced them. You didn’t just hear the plays through Hawthorne; you felt them. He had the rare ability to make the listener feel like they were there, even if they were thousands of miles away.
In an era where broadcasting has become increasingly slick, commercialized, and at times impersonal, Jim Hawthorne remained something different. Something authentic. Something timeless. He never tried to be bigger than the game. He simply wanted to tell the story right. That dedication—to the craft, to the team, and to the fans—earned him a level of trust and affection that few in sports media ever achieve.
As the sports world reflects on this honor, one thing is clear: no matter how much the industry evolves, no matter how many new voices emerge, there will only ever be one “Voice of the Tigers.” For LSU fans, Jim Hawthorne is irreplaceable. For sports fans everywhere, he is now, officially, the gold standard.
With this recognition from ESPN, Hawthorne’s place in sports broadcasting history is secured. But truth be told, he never needed the award. He already had something more powerful: the love and gratitude of the people he served for over 35 years. That’s the kind of legacy you can’t vote on—it’s one you earn, day by day, call by call.
And earn it he did.
Jim Hawthorne didn’t just call games. He gave them soul.
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