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...
Stranded in Boston Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 15 hours ago, Simon said: I remember being a kid who was supposed to be asleep in bed and instead hiding under the covers with a little handheld AM radio listening to him call games. Me and my brothers too, Simon. We had built a little Heathkit "transistor" radio around 1971. We kept that thing really low, under a pillow, because our by-the-book German mom had ears like a fox downstairs. But Rick was one of a kind. RIP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEBranch Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 He was the best. He was ours. We love you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleezoid Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Nice write-up on NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/news/rick-jeanneret-longtime-buffalo-sabres-announcer-dies-at-81/c-345619774 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coloradobillsfan Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 This is how I was first introduced to RJ. RIP old friend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let's Go Buffalo Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 RIP, Mr. Jeanneret! Had so many good calls on the Ice for sure. I had a friend who was a cop, and when he was on break one time, I pulled up next to him, and he didn't want to get out of his car for the break because the broadcast was so good......I don't blame him. Thoughts and prayers for the family as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manther Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 1 hour ago, Gugny said: I always found him disingenuous and borderline arrogant. But may he RIP. I was only a Sabres fan for about 10 years from the 1st-ever game to leaving town for college and to me, Ted Darling was the man. RJ was very, very entertaining to listen to while filling in for Ted, never skipped a beat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78thealltimegreat Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 This thread says it all his Mayday call still is one of the greatest calls in the history of sports Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 Maybe posted before but I'm not looking through the entire thead... we are lucky to have had Van and Rick for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayg Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 https://thehockeynews.com/news/doerries-top-10-favorite-rick-jeanneret-signature-calls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatloaf63 Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 On 8/17/2023 at 10:56 PM, Mike in Horseheads said: Who will ever for get MAY DAY! That just gave me goose bumps, what a night that was👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 2 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locomark Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 The first time I truly remember RJ was as a kid listening in my bedroom to Rick Martin’s 50th goal. I always wanted to listen to him over Darling once cable hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 I knew his health wasn’t doing great but I had no idea he was 81. He always seemed the same age when I was a kid. Truly a legend and the voice of my childhood. 81 is a great run but it seemed so sudden. I’m just so happy I got to experience him and I just wish the Sabres got him a cup. RIP Legend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieEm Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 8 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said: I knew his health wasn’t doing great but I had no idea he was 81. He always seemed the same age when I was a kid. Truly a legend and the voice of my childhood. 81 is a great run but it seemed so sudden. I’m just so happy I got to experience him and I just wish the Sabres got him a cup. RIP Legend. I still believe the cup was given away to Dallas in that no goal game. The game was turning in Sabres favor. It had the feel to it like many of the last minute victories that team seemed to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 7 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shemp Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 https://thehockeywriters.com/life-legacy-sabres-announcer-rick-jeanneret/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBillsFanSince1973 Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 57 minutes ago, Shemp said: https://thehockeywriters.com/life-legacy-sabres-announcer-rick-jeanneret/ somebody is cutting onions around this joint. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Had a chance to visit the RJ Memorial by the arena this afternoon, there was a decent amount of people trickling through to pay their respects. Lots of people left written Thanks and well wishes for his family, it was very touching reading through them. They were blaring all of his classic calls on a loop on the speakers outside the arena...I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed some tears. Emotional scene. 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Super Fan Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 For me as a Buffalo sports fan this is a tough loss losing Rick Jeanneret just really sad for me growing up with Rick Jeanneret for 50 years as a Buffalo Sabres fan. My condolences to Rick Jeanneret’s family in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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