Legendary sports broadcaster Brent Musburger, 77, reveals he's retiring from sportscasting next week

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Brent Musburger is calling it a career at ESPN after being the play-by-play man in the booth at sporting events enjoyed by millions of Americans, most prominently when he was the lead voice for CBS Sports in the 1980s.

Musburger, 77, said he's leaving active sportscasting to help his family get a sports handicapping business started and to use some of the millions of airline miles he's earned for some fun travel.

In a statement, Musburger said: 'What a wonderful journey I have traveled with CBS and the Disney company.

'A love of sports allows me to live a life of endless pleasure. And make no mistake, I will miss the arenas and stadiums dearly. Most of all, I will miss the folks I have met along the trail.

'But the next rodeo for me is in Las Vegas. Stop by and we'll share a cold one and some good stories. I may even buy!'

Sportscaster Brent Musburger is pictured left in September 1975 and right in December 2016 

Oakland Raiders coach Tom Flores clutches the Super Bowl trophy as Raiders managing general partner Al Davis is interviewed by Musburger after their win in 1984

Sports handicapping usually involves researching and predicting how teams will do in games.

His last game will be the Kentucky-Georgia men's basketball game on January 31. 

That takes him back to Rupp Arena, where he called Villanova's historic NCAA championship upset over Georgetown in 1985.

Both Musburger and ESPN say comments about Oklahoma football player Joe Mixon that were criticized as insensitive during the Sugar Bowl earlier this month had nothing to do with his exit.  

Musburger said he hoped Mixon, who had been suspended for a year after punching a woman and breaking her jaw, would make the most of his second chance and described him as 'one of the best'. 

Many thought it was insensitive to Mixon's victim.

He'd said: 'It was troubling, very troubling, to see. We've talked to the coaches and they all swear that the young man is doing fine, like I said, Oklahoma thought he might even transfer, but he sat out the suspension, got reinstated and folks he is just one of the best.

'And let's hope, given a second chance by Bob Stoops and Oklahoma, let's hope this young man makes the most of his chance and goes on to have a career in the National Football League.'

Musburger said 'insensitive' comments about Oklahoma football player Joe Mixon had nothing to do with his exit. Mixon was suspended for a year for punching a woman, pictured on CCTV

Brent Musburger (right) and football analyst Dan Dierdorf (left) are seen together in this circa 1985 photo

The 77-year-old broadcaster was blasted for the comments by many on social media, which led to him responding later in the game.

'Apparently some people were very upset when I wished this man well at the next level,' an agitated Musburger said.

'Let me make something perfectly clear: what he did with that young lady was brutal, uncalled for, he's apologized—he was tearful, he got a second chance.

'He got a second chance from Bob Stoops. I happen to pull for people with second chances, okay? Let me make absolutely clear: I hope he has a wonderful career, and he teaches people with that brutal, violent video. OK!? Second down & nine.' 

Stephanie Druley, ESPN senior vice president for events and studio production, told ESPN: 'About 10 days prior to the Sugar Bowl, we were told that Brent was considering stepping away from play-by-play. I was shocked. 

'I did not feel like it was time for him to step aside. We had a follow-up meeting where we made a very strong pitch to get him to change his mind.

'In the end, he made a personal decision for himself and for his family. I respect that. But, personally and professionally, I am disappointed and saddened, considering he's still a fantastic play-by-play announcer.'

Musburger is pictured next to boxers Muhammad Ali (second from left) and Leon Spinks (second right) in 1977

Musburger is seen speaking with Boston Celtics player Larry Bird after the Celtics won the NBA Championship in 1984

A former sportswriter, Musburger's broadcast fame took off through his work on NFL Today, the pro football pregame show. He broadcast the NBA, college basketball, the Masters and tennis — most of CBS' marquee events.

He was behind the mic for one of college football's most memorable plays, Doug Flutie's Hail Mary pass that beat Miami for Boston College in 1984. 

He confessed to Flutie later that it took him awhile to identify Gerard Phelan, Flutie's roommate, as the receiver for that pass — and Flutie told him he didn't know, either, until he had run off the field.

Musburger was abruptly dropped by CBS in 1990 in what was perceived as a salary dump, then came to work for ABC and ESPN.

Druley said: 'Brent made every event feel larger. To me, there is probably not a greater storyteller as a play-by-play person. 

'He can spin a yarn like nobody else and it made games definitely more enjoyable to watch.'

Musburger plays with a snowball outside the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, in this 1982 photo

Musburger's opportunities for national exposure grew more limited in recent years when ESPN assigned him to its SEC network for college football. 

But he still called college basketball regularly and even though ESPN has been trying to save money lately by cutting higher-cost talent, Druley said the network had no interest in seeing him leave.

Sportscasting today 'has become more and more numbers-driven, advanced statistics and everything,' Musburger said. 

'That's fine. I was never going to change because I'm a people guy. I like pulling up a chair in a saloon with a cold beer and telling stories.'

Musburger took heat for backward thinking in 2013 when he extolled the attractiveness of former Miss Alabama Katherine Webb, the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron -- a controversy he finds silly.

'I called a beauty queen beautiful,' he said. 'Are you kidding me?' 

During a 2013 game between Alabama and Notre Dame, Musburger said: 'You quarterbacks, you get all the good looking women. What a beautiful woman.'

'If you're a youngster in Alabama, start getting the football out and throw it around the backyard with Pop,' he also said at the time. 

Musburger took heat for backward thinking in 2013 when he extolled the attractiveness of former Miss Alabama Katherine Webb (pictured)

Musberger said he hoped people felt comfortable listening to him.

'Not everyone approved of everything I said,' he said. 'I understand that. I come from a sports writing background and I'm not afraid to take a position on certain things from time to time. 

'But for the most part, I thought people should be coming to a game to escape for three hours and forget about what their individual problems are.'

He said he's not ready to fully retire ('I don't do shuffleboard well,' he said), but his decision lets ESPN escape from an uncomfortable decision. 

Musburger broadcast the NBA, college basketball, the Masters and tennis. He is pictured with tennis players Ilie Nastase (center) and Jimmy Connors (right) in 1982

Having a broadcaster of college games publicly identified with a sports handicapping business wouldn't fly. 

That accounts for the odd timing of his departure in the middle of the college basketball season; his family wants the site fully operational by the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

If anything, the move will force Musburger to change a pat answer when he's approached by fans.

'They always ask me my favorite game and I always say, "The next one,"' he said.

After next Tuesday, that will no longer be applicable. 

ESPN President John Skipper said in a statement: 'Brent's presence and delivery have come to symbolize big time sports for multiple generations of fans. 

'When he opens with his signature "You are looking live," you sit up straight in your chair because you know something important is about to happen. 

'Brent's catalog of big events is unmatched, and he has skillfully guided us through some of the most dramatic and memorable moments in sports with his authentic and distinctive style. 

'He is one of the best story-tellers to ever grace a sports booth. We and the fans will miss him.'