A final goodbye to one of Colorado's "Mount Rushmore" broadcasters

Larry Zimmer was the storyteller to some of the greatest moments in CU history

It kinda sucks getting old and gray. That was one thought ruminating while taking a break from conversations and observing the admired throng gathered to say a final goodbye to Larry Zimmer, the famed “Voice of the Buffs.”

Somewhat strangely, the noggin’ kept zipping back to a moment about a month before. When a similar band of Buffaloes’ faithful gathered to say goodbye to the greatest quarterback in CU history. Darian Hagan, the one and only “Mr. Magic” who never lost a conference game in three seasons, won a trifecta of Big 8 championships and the school’s only national title, was departing the Buff family and heading to San Diego State and a return to coaching.

Major contributors to the “Greatest Generation” of CU football are now gone. Hagan, alive and well, exiting to sharpen the coaching chops. Zimmer? Looking around the room at 3 Sons Italian Restaurant in Arvada so many memories came flooding back. Your correspondent didn’t show up on the scene until 1988. Zimmer was already entrenched with the Buffs and Denver Broncos as a talented, personable and sharp broadcaster.

Zimmer passed away recently at 88. Admirers had gathered for a day of tribute: funeral, military burial for the Army guy and then, a casual throng of sports athletes, coaches, administrators and media folks like me. There is a bond. I’m soaking in this beautiful portrait of folks gathering to say “adios” to one of the most respected broadcasters in Colorado history. The New Orleans native was held in high regard by all.

Look at the Broncos from the glory days of the past. Wide receiver Steve Watson, tight end Ron Egloff, linebacker Jim Ryan, safety Steve Foley and kicker Rich Karlis to name just the guys I had a chance to connect with during the event. They all looked fit for dudes closing in on 65-70 years of age. Of course, we’d quickly dive into stories of yesteryear and how everybody, like fine wine, gets better each year.

We know better but those memories of playing, coaching, supporting and covering professional and collegiate sports is a unique world. It’s the business side of what the fans adore, The better the teams, the more fervent the fans. Observing the crowd assembled to honor Zimmer one last time represented greatness for the Broncos and Buffaloes past.

Nobody had a better vantage point to watch it all unfold than Zimmer. 50-yard-line seat with a captive audience via the radio airwaves listening to the Buffs against whomever each Saturday. Or, squeezing out of church early on Sunday to hear Zimmer, Bob Martin, Dave Logan and others offer blow-by-blow synopsis of the Broncos’ gridiron battles.

I’m marinating at the moment and people are watching. Gary and Mary Barnett. Dang, they look and sound great. Mary’s painting away and Barney’s always working on his golf game. We joke about how the only thing my 34-year-old son wants when his old man croaks is the 2001 Big 12 championship ring the Buffs felt the host of their coach’s show (me) did something to deserve. Great memories.

Zimmer was along for all that stuff too. Almost 500 games and 22 bowls: Neuheisel, McCartney, Fairbanks and others before Barnett. The fellow University of Missouri School of Journalism graduate broadcast Buffs and Broncos games in five decades. An iron horse.

The opera-loving fella was the front-row “paint the picture” professor sharing the good, bad and ugly of the Buffs and Broncos exploits to devout fans glued to Zimmer’s call. There was a lot of good. The Broncos and Buffs had much success on the field with Zimmer in the booth.

It was on full display at the final. Larry Zimmer is one of Colorado’s “Mount Rushmore” broadcasters. What a blessing to have also had a front-row seat as a deeply embedded TV guy covering the teams for KCNC-TV., now CBS News Colorado.

Memories, and now a musing, of life’s wonderful moments and the humans who created them. Nobody described the action better than Zim. RIP. Your voice has been silenced but never your spirit. It’s alive and well within those touched by your voice, character and talent.