The SEC Championship game broadcast began with a pseudo-memorial service for the SEC on CBS. The network that has entertained the country on Saturday afternoons with the best college football games for over 20 years will not broadcast the conference next season.
Fans got nostalgic with the return of longtime play-by-play broadcaster Verne Lundquist for the pregame show, but they clearly don’t share those same warm and fuzzy feelings for Gary Danielson, Lundquist’s former partner, and Brad Nessler’s current sidekick on the broadcast.
It seems that the general consensus is that fans will be sad to see the SEC leave CBS, but they will certainly not miss Danielson on their TV every weekend.
No matter which side of this game you are on, rooting for Georgia or Alabama, it seems that this is the one thing that everyone can agree on.
A tribute to CBS during the TV timeout. Some boos could be heard from Alabama corner when Gary Danielson’s name was called on the PA. pic.twitter.com/fAMzHAXYCV
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) December 2, 2023
Alabama fans booed him in person, and Georgia fans think Danielson has been rooting for Alabama all game.
Single people, find someone who loves you as much as Gary Danielson loves Alabama. pic.twitter.com/5sVHLa11Cc
— Maker Bayfield 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@Quoth_the_Maven) December 2, 2023
For some fans, this day has been a very long time coming. Not just one of the best college football games of the entire season. A game that is a de-facto CFP elimination game and one that did not disappoint in the first half. It ended with an aggressive touchdown drive from Jalen Milroe and Alabama to take a 17-7 lead into the break.
Happy Last Gary Danielson Day to those that celebrate
— Steven Willis (@TheStevenWillis) December 2, 2023
This is the last time we have to hear Gary Danielson call an SEC game pic.twitter.com/e0RDMI1web
— Chance Bitters (@chance_bitters) December 2, 2023
So, Georgia fans, Alabama fans, and Gary Danielson haters rejoice, we only have one half left of the SEC on CBS. Then it’s off to ESPN and complaining about Kirk Herbstreit, Greg McElroy, Louis Riddick, or whoever SEC fans will learn to hate.
Alabama kicker Will Reichard makes history in SEC Championship game
In the first quarter, Will Reichard, Alabama's veteran kicker, made a historic field goal to cut the Crimson Tide's deficit to 7-3