transient Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Fare thee well, RJ. Thank you for adding a layer of enjoyment to our Sabres experience the likes of which most fanbases of other teams will never have the good fortune to know. You will be missed. 🥺 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitzboy54 Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 We were generationally spoiled having RJ and Van for both our major sports. What unbelievable luck to have the gentlemen of their caliber calling games for us. Just the best. 4 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnyguy Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Truly a Buffalo icon and a staple to so many Sabres fans. From "WOWEE HOUSLEY" and "OOH LA LA PIERRE" there were so many calls that will live in the hearts of those who are fans forever. Godspeed Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Positive Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleezoid Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Heard it on WGR this morning. One of a kind play-by-play guy. A buddy of mine sent me a highlight DVD of RJ many years ago. On it, there's a clip of RJ calling the plays with the camera showing him in the booth. It was back when Jim Lorentz was his color guy. The play was heating up and RJ is leaning over the edge of the booth, his face is turning red and you could see Lorentz looking at him giggling. Classic moment. His voice and intensity is unmatched! Wished he could have seen Sabres win a Cup RIP RJ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomper Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Though he obviously is revered for his signature calls, it was the way he called the game between them that was exceptional. He was a true radio guy in that sense. You could literally picture the play in your mind. He was that good. 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transient Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 1 minute ago, wnyguy said: Truly a Buffalo icon and a staple to so many Sabres fans. From "WOWEE HOUSLEY" and "OOH LA LA PIERRE" there were so many calls that will live in the hearts of those who are fans forever. Godspeed Rick. As a testament to that, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, as I read through this thread I don’t “read” the text of the calls so much as “hear” them through RJ’s voice as an auditory memory while processing the words visually. Similar to “hearing” Van Miller’s voice whenever I read words like “fandemonium”. Indelible marks left by broadcasting legends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrivefourfive Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 What a blow. The mid 2000s playoff game endings were absolutely all timers. Sabres found ways to win when games seemed over. RIP 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shemp Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 We are not worthy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 He got some criticism from other fans because of his over the top goal calls and excitement. Also painting the other team as villainous thugs vs the righteous sabres when it came to fights... But I would always point out. If you listen to an opposing goal in a vacuum, RJ put 10x more into those goals than any other home/regional pbp announcer. 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargent Hulka Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 I remember John Madden relating how he heard Jeanneret on the radio. For some reason or another, Madden's bus had to cross the Peace Bridge. Anyway, John Madden raved about RJ. He was a fan. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Thank you, RJ. WE are not worthy! You will always be the voice of the Sabres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleezoid Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 I remember a long time ago, RJ mentioned in an interview that he's been asked many times to go National. He turned them down and when asked why, he said something to the affect, 'I told them I'm too much of a homer'. Buffalo through and through! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExWNYer Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Marty Biron & Brian Duff were choking back tears on MSG when they came on the air at noon. 'Sabres Live' will be three hours today talking, mourning, and celebrating the great RJ. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Tim Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 This bothers me far more than I thought it would. He was a great announcer and the people I know that met him said he was a classy guy. I wish his family well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 25 minutes ago, Sargent Hulka said: I remember John Madden relating how he heard Jeanneret on the radio. For some reason or another, Madden's bus had to cross the Peace Bridge. Anyway, John Madden raved about RJ. He was a fan. That's awesome! Never heard that story before but I believe it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv Levy Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Thanks for all your calls Rick. One of the best ever and a true hockey hall of fame legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsGospel2014 Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 RIP Legend!! I'll never forget the "Mayday" call and the "Do you believe", forever will they be etched in my brain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 RJ's final sign-off. It's a celebration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 He was the best at what he did. He did something near and dear to all of us. Not many can be described like this, but some can. They’re few and far between. Rick, though, is in a category by himself. In addition to sharing thousands of evenings (thousands!) of competence, art and joy, he taught us lessons. The lessons are his greatest gift, and that’s saying something. 1) Love your work. You will feel it and so will those around you, making the experience better for everyone. 2) Love who you work with. Work becomes less “work”, and everyone’s grateful for that. 3) Be yourself. While the world changes from radio, to television, to inter-webs, to streaming, to 85” high definition, to game animation, remain the same comfortable and familiar voice. You will connect the simple memories of youth with the complicated reality of adulthood. One of the greatest lessons from Rick is that there are experiences that fathers, sons and daughters can share exactly the same way, but they’re rare. Rick was one. 4) Take your work seriously and yourself less so. What a humble man. 5) Love your family. Godspeed, RJ …. I’ll see you again soon. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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