Tuscaloosa, Alabama Eli Gold, the legendary voice of Alabama Crimson Tide football, has further cemented his legacy in the history of broadcasting by taking home two major honors: the coveted “Best Sports Broadcasting” award and the ESPN National Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting.

There are few names as synonymous with college football — and particularly Alabama Crimson Tide football — as Eli Gold. For decades, Gold has been the steady, familiar voice narrating the triumphs, heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments of Alabama football, his voice etching itself into the memories of millions of fans across generations.

Now, the iconic broadcaster has added two more significant chapters to his storied career, receiving both the “Best Sports Broadcasting” award and the prestigious ESPN National Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting. These honors not only recognize Gold’s extraordinary contributions to the craft but further immortalize him as one of the finest voices in the history of American sports.

“It’s humbling,” Gold said at the awards ceremony. “When I started in this business, my only goal was to paint a picture with words — to make listeners feel like they were right there, even if they were miles away. To be recognized nationally and by my peers at this stage in my career is more than I could ever have imagined.”

A Voice Woven into the Fabric of Alabama

For Alabama fans, Eli Gold is not merely a broadcaster — he is an institution. Since joining the Crimson Tide Sports Network in 1988, Gold has called thousands of games, providing play-by-play for some of the most iconic moments in college football history.

Through national championships, legendary coaches, Heisman-winning players, and unforgettable Iron Bowl finishes, Gold’s voice was the constant. His measured, authoritative tone, punctuated by the perfect flair for drama and a deep reverence for the game, made him not just a narrator but a participant in Alabama’s storied tradition.

For many, the memories of Mark Ingram’s Heisman campaign, Tua Tagovailoa’s miraculous 2nd-and-26 throw in the national championship game, or the sheer dominance of Nick Saban’s dynasty are inextricably tied to Gold’s booming, unmistakable voice.

“He didn’t just tell you what happened,” said former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, now an ESPN analyst. “Eli made you feel it. When you listened to him, it was like you could see the field through his eyes. He brought Alabama football to life.”

The twin honors come at a particularly poignant time for Gold. Over the past few years, he faced serious health challenges, including a bout with cancer that forced him to step away from the microphone for much of the 2022 season.

For a man whose life was spent on the airwaves, the forced silence was brutal. However, Gold fought back with the same perseverance and passion that defined his career. His triumphant return to the booth was met with a hero’s welcome, not just in Tuscaloosa, but throughout the world of college football.

“There were days I didn’t know if I’d ever call another game,” Gold admitted. “But my love for Alabama football and for broadcasting gave me strength. The prayers, the letters, the support from the fans — it meant everything.”

His comeback only added to the emotional weight behind these recent awards, as they symbolize not just professional excellence, but personal resilience.

Eli Gold’s career didn’t begin at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he started his broadcasting journey in minor league hockey, serving as the voice for the Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association in the 1970s. His ability to vividly describe the action quickly earned him opportunities in other sports, including NASCAR, where he built a significant national following as a lead announcer.

Still, it was with Alabama football that Gold found his ultimate home. Year after year, game after game, he elevated radio broadcasting into an art form — a storytelling experience that transcended simple play-by-play.

In an era increasingly dominated by television and digital media, Gold’s radio calls retained a timeless quality. His broadcasts reminded fans of a simpler time when the roar of the crowd and the urgent cadence of a trusted voice were all you needed to feel connected to the game.

What separates Eli Gold from other broadcasters isn’t just longevity — it’s mastery. His preparation was legendary; Gold approached each game with a meticulousness that reflected deep respect for the sport and its participants.

He prided himself on correctly pronouncing every player’s name, understanding each team’s strategies, and knowing enough about the surrounding storylines to weave them seamlessly into the narrative.

“Eli treated every game like a masterpiece in progress,” said Chris Stewart, who filled in for Gold during his medical leave and now shares the broadcast booth with him. “His professionalism, his attention to detail, and his love for Alabama are unmatched.”

Indeed, Gold’s broadcasts often felt like a blend of journalism and poetry — a careful balancing act of delivering critical information while keeping listeners emotionally engaged.

The “Best Sports Broadcasting” award is given annually to a sports broadcaster who exemplifies outstanding storytelling, professionalism, and connection with their audience. Meanwhile, the ESPN National Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting recognizes lifetime achievement and consistent excellence across a career.

Both honors are voted on by a combination of industry peers, past winners, and sports journalists. Gold’s selection this year was nearly unanimous — a rare feat that speaks to the universal respect he commands.

“He is what every sports broadcaster aspires to be,” said ESPN’s Rece Davis, himself an Alabama alumnus. “Fair, passionate, knowledgeable, and authentic. There’s no artifice with Eli Gold. What you hear is who he is — a man who loves sports and cherishes the chance to share that love with others.”

While awards can only go so far in capturing a career’s impact, there’s no denying that Eli Gold’s influence on sports broadcasting will endure long after he calls his final game.

Many younger broadcasters cite him as a primary influence. His techniques — from vocal pacing to the art of building drama without overhyping — are studied in sports journalism courses across the country.

Moreover, his humility and approachability have made him a beloved figure off the field as well. Gold has never shied away from engaging with fans, whether at speaking engagements, book signings, or even chance meetings on game day.

In many ways, Gold embodies the spirit of Alabama itself: proud but grounded, relentless but gracious, passionate yet respectful of tradition.

At 70 years old, Eli Gold shows no signs of slowing down. Although he acknowledges that he is in the later stages of his career, he remains committed to broadcasting as long as he feels he can serve the fans with the excellence they expect.

“I still get goosebumps when I walk into Bryant-Denny Stadium,” Gold said. “When that crowd roars, when the band strikes up ‘Yea Alabama,’ when it’s fourth and goal and the whole season hangs in the balance — I still live for those moments.”

He’s also expressed a desire to mentor the next generation of broadcasters, ensuring that the standards he helped set continue to define Alabama football broadcasts long after he hangs up the headset.

“People ask me about retirement, and I tell them the same thing I’ve always said: When the time comes, I’ll know,” Gold said. “But for now, there’s a lot more Alabama football to call.”

In many respects, it is fitting that Eli Gold’s career has been so closely tied to Alabama’s football dominance. Just as the Crimson Tide built a dynasty on the field, Gold built a dynasty behind the microphone — a reign of excellence defined by preparation, execution, and an unquenchable passion for the game.

As Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer recently said during a tribute video for Gold’s awards:

“Eli is as much a part of Alabama football as the players, the coaches, and the championships. He’s not just the voice of the Crimson Tide. He’s the voice of our memories.”

Indeed, for generations of fans, no matter how the game ends — win or lose — the real magic was always hearing Eli Gold tell the story.

And with two new national honors now sitting beside him, that magic will echo even louder in the halls of sports history.