Jim Nantz once shared how his father inspired one of Golf’s iconic phrases

Jim Nantz is one of the most well-known American broadcasters across sports. He has been commentating and working with telecasts of the NFL, NBA, and the PGA Tour since the 1980s.

Moreover, he continues to be an iconic voice on the PGA Tour, as he presents impeccably on CBS. Over the years, Nantz has grown in stature and delivered plenty of iconic commentaries and phrases. The 65-year-old is a two-time Emmy Award winner and five-time National Sportscaster of the Year.

The 65-year-old sportscaster once shared how his father inspired one of his iconic phrases, 'Hello, Friends,' as CBS shared it on X (formerly Twitter) on Father's Day.

Nantz disclosed that the phrase was a gift from his father, who was afflected with Alzheimer's disease. It served as a means of communication for him. His dad suffered from Alzheimer's for 13 years and passed away in 2008.

Jim Nantz used this phrase for the first time in 2002 during the PGA Championship at Hazeltine and recently revealed how this iconic phrase became popular. He said that back in 2002, he sat next to his father before traveling to Hazeltine and told him he was going to say something when he was on the air.

"I'm going to look into that camera, Dad, I'm going to say, 'Hello, friends, Jim Nantz here.' My dad's name is Jim Nantz, and I wanted to give him something on the air that let him know I was channeling him at that moment," Nantz said.

Nantz thought that he would use this phrase only once. However, afterwards, a few people wanted to know the backstory behind the phrase, and when they learned about it, they insisted that Nantz continue using it. He agreed to it, but at the time, he had no idea that people would pick it up and make it iconic.

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Jim Nantz reveals how this phrase helps him on broadcast.

Jim Nantz's dad passed away in 2008, but he believes that this iconic phrase helps him feel a connection with his father. This phrase assists him in shrugging off nervousness and starting the show with confidence.

"Like the first shot and golf, there's a little bit of nervous energy. But when I say, 'Hello, Friends,' for that flicker of a second, I think of my dad. It relaxes me, it calms me, and I'm able to kind of move into the show feeling comfortable and confident and, more importantly than anything, connected to my dad," Nantz said during the 2024 PGA Championship.

In addition, Jim Nantz stated that he has always known that his voice is similar to his father's, and he feels privileged to be carrying on his legacy.

"My Father's voice runs through me. He's being heard. I really believe that," concluded Nantz.