Watch CBS News

Philadelphia Sportscaster Bill Campbell Laid To Rest

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia's sports community came together today to say farewell to legendary broadcaster Bill Campbell, who died last week at age 91.

campbell+ashburn 1964 625dl _campbell
(Bill Campbell, right, and Richie Ashburn pose with a Tastykake cupcake in the Phillies' broadcast booth in 1964.)

----

Friends, family, sports dignitaries, and average fans gathered to remember the life of Bill Campbell, the longtime voice of Philadelphia sports.  His work doing Eagles', Sixers', and Phillies' games over seven decades inspired generations of broadcasters, including Eagles' play-by-play man Merrill Reese.

"I grew up listening to Bill Campbell -- I was the one who turned down the sound on the TV and put up the radio to hear Bill Campbell do the Eagles," Reese told KYW Newsradio.

Among those paying their respects was Phillies' president David Montgomery and former Eagles' GM Jim Murray.
Campbell's daughter Christine delivered the eulogy from the same lectern at Christ the King Church where her dad sometimes read at mass.

campbell funeral _denardo
(Photo by Mike DeNardo)

----

"My daughter told me on Wednesday morning that Pop-Pop had a hashtag," she told the attendees today. "Dad would not know what a hashtag was, but he'd know it was cool," she added, smiling.

You may also be interested in these stories:

 

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.