Gene Deckerhoff, longtime commentator on FSU football, retired
Jean Deckerhoff called his last “touchdown Florida” for the Seminoles.
Decker Hoff — Voices of FSU football and men’s basketball On a state-wide radio broadcast — he announced his retirement on Friday, almost 50 years after covering Seminole.
Deckerhoff, who turns 77 in May, will resign following a radio broadcast of the FSU’s Spring Football Game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, April 9th at 5 pm.
“The life of a great player, a great coach, a great game, great memories, and most of all, a great Seminole fan was a great moment,” Deckerhoff said in a statement released by FSU.
“A work of life that can be read like a best-selling novel on the radio. I have been blessed. Thank you to FSU.”
Deckerhoff has also been a commentator on Tampa Bay Bacchus since 1989. He said he would end his work on the Buccaneer Radio Network in 2022.
Many believe that the award-winning Deckerhoff is the voice of the most complete and most popular commentator in the history of Sunshine.
Three years after Bobby Bowden arrived in Tallahassee, he has been behind Mike in an FSU football game since 1979. He just completed his 48 seasons calling the FSU Men’s Basketball Game. He called the aired FSU baseball game.
More precisely, Deckerhof called over 60% (1,324) of the 529 FSU football games and FSU men’s basketball games. In his own number, Deckerhof uttered his signature “Touchdown Florida” 2,218 times.
“I don’t think we can do much more than Gene Deckerhoff is at FSU,” said Michael Alford, FSU’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, in a statement from the Athletics Division.
“It is a great honor for one of our most visible ambassadors to have outstanding expertise, unique talent, endless enthusiasm, and a personality that perfectly reflects Seminole athletics. Our fans really love Jean. It’s really noteworthy to see him interact with fans on both teams as he is one of the most adorable figures in college athletics. . “
Gene Decker Hoff Coverage
The Seminole Sports Network — a radio network that carries FSU athletic events and is run by Rearfield IMG College — will survey Deckerhoff’s successors nationwide. FSU leadership is also involved in the selection process.
Known for his infectious energy, unwavering dedication, and strong voice, Deckerhoff has called for almost every wonderful moment in the history of Seminors football.
The list is separated by the titles of the three countries (1993, 1999, 2013).
Gene Deckerhoff Year and Bobby Bowden
Decker Hoff also covered most Bowden’s legendary career It ended with Bowden’s forced retirement after the 2009 season.
His name must endure: Bobby Bowden has led FSU to “out of nowhere splendor” | Gerald Ensley
In addition, Deckerhoff hosted the popular 30-minute TV show “Bobby Bowden Show” with Bowden, and the pair reviewed the match the day before.
It seemed appropriate for Seminole’s Boosters to award both Deckerhoff and Bowden the George Langford Award for FSU’s lifetime achievements at the same ceremony in 2019. Ironically, when Deckerhoff moved to Tallahassee, he bought only one house before. Time by Bowden when he was an FSU Assistant Coach (1963-65). Bowden died of pancreatic cancer last August at the age of 91.
Deckerhoff has shared a football booth with color analyst (and former FSU and NFL fullback) William Floyd since 2008.
Deckerhoff was also Bucks’ credible voice, calling for the team’s Super Bowl victory in 2003 and 2020.
Deckerhoff’s busy, often busy travel itinerary covering the weekend Seminoles and Bucks was well documented. He often drove a motorhome between Tallahassee and Tampa.
After all, Deckerhof was the radio voice of over 2,400 professional or college sporting events throughout his Iron Man career.
Deckerhoff went to Florida, but “I’m not a gaiter.”
Deckerhoff grew up in Jacksonville and attended the University of Florida.
After graduating from college, Deckerhof worked for Southern Bell and General Foods before starting full-time broadcasts.
He often joked when he started broadcasting in Tallahassee in 1974. “Yes, I went to Florida, but I’m not a Gator!”
During his career, Deckerhoff was named the Florida Sportscaster of the Year 14 times by members of the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association. And for the 18th consecutive year, it has been named the best live announcer in Florida by the Florida Sportscasters Association.
He also produces radio commercials and is talented in a variety of television commercials.
Deckerhoff and his wife Anne have three children and six grandchildren. “As a fan, I attend FSU sporting events and dance to War Chant,” his family said.
Gene Deckerhoff’s Life and Timeline
► In 1964, Deckerhoff passed the broadcaster’s FCC license exam. His first sports mission was to be an engineer / announcer for the Little League All-Star Game in Palatka in the summer of 1965.
► In 1966, while attending the University of Florida, Deckerhoff became an evening announcer at WGGG in Gainesville.
► After nearly five years of management and sales at Southern Bell Telephone and General Foods Corporation, Deckerhoff resumed his broadcast career at WTRL in Bradenton. He was a DJ, account executive and sports announcer.
► The next destination for Decca Hoff was WTNT-AM in Tallahassee. He became the voice of Florida State University basketball in the winter of 1974, sharing the commentary with Ed Little and becoming the only commentary announcer in 1975.
► Decca Hoff began his television career in September 1976 as the former sports director of ABC-affiliated WECA-TV Channel 27 in Tallahassee. He continued to broadcast a two-minute radio sports program daily on Tallahassee’s WGLF-FM.
► In January 1978, Deckerhoff became co-sports director of Tallahassee’s CBS affiliate WCTV-TV, Channel 6. In 1979 Jean auditioned for the work of an FSU football commentator. The position finalists included the late Tom Mees (ESPN) and Craig Sager (Turner Sports).
► Decca Hoff was named “Seminole’s Voice” in the summer of 1979. His first live broadcast of FSU football took place in September, when Seminole opened its season against Southern Miss.
► From 1983 to 1985, Deckerhoff was the USFL’s “Voice of Tampa Bay Bandit.” He has teamed up with FSU color analyst Vic Prinzi for three years.
► In 1989, Deckerhof was named “Voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers”. He joined Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Alkek as the Buccaneers Broadcasting Team on WRBQ-FM and the Buccaneer Radio Network.
► Decca Hoff has covered both Bucks and Seminole at the same time since 1989. He wants all three FSU national championships in football (1993, 1999, 2013) and two Super Bowl wins in Bucks (2003 and 2021). ..
► In 2000, Deckerhof was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.
► In 2002, Deckerhof was inducted into the Florida State University Hall of Fame for Athletics.
► In 2013, Deckerhof was awarded the “Chris Schenkel Award” by the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame. This award recognizes a long and outstanding career in college football broadcasting.
► In 2019, Deckerhof called his 500th career FSU football game.
► In 2019, Seminole Boosters, Inc. awarded the George Langford Award to Deckerhoff and Bobby Bowden.
► In 2021, Deckerhof was the fourth recipient of the Woody Durham Voice of College Sports Awards.
-Edited from Jean Deckerhoff’s website
Gene Deckerhoff’s Top 8 FSU Play
Here’s the highlight he pointed out to Democratic sports writer Curt Weiler.
- Jameis Winston defeats Auburn 34-31 in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game with 13 seconds remaining to Kelvin Benjamin on a 2-yard touchdown pass
- LeRoy Butler jumps into the Clemson 3-yard line in the famous “Puntrooski” play.
- Warrick Dunn records clinch touchdown in Florida in 1993 (separation play)
- Rock Preston 5 Yards TD Run vs Florida, 31-31 Draw Match (Chalk at Dok)
- Deion Sanders 76 yards punt return touchdown at Clemson in 1988
- Chris Rix defeats Florida 38-34 in 2003 with 49 seconds remaining on PK Sam with a 52-yard touchdown pass
- Christian Ponder 98-yard touchdown pass to Rod Owens, North Carolina in 2009
- Terrell Buckley’s 69-yard punt return touchdown at Syracuse in 1989
Contact Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.
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Gene Deckerhoff, longtime commentator on FSU football, retired
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