Billy Packer Wife, Net Worth, Obituary, Cause of Death, Children, Family, Wiki, Age, Onions
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Billy Packer Biography – Billy Packer Wiki
Billy Packer (born Anthony William Paczkowski) was an Emmy award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS. He worked as an analyst or color commentator on every Final Four from 1975 to 2008. He received a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Analyst in 1993.
Packer starred as a player for Wake Forest from 1958 to 1962 but became better known through the sports world for opinionated analysis from the sidelines of the biggest games in college basketball including many years calling ACC games in addition to his duties at CBS, where he was an analyst from 1981-2008.
Packer was also impactful as a player, averaging 14.1 points as a 5-foot-9 senior guard on the 1962 Wake Forest team that reached the Final Four under coach Bones McKinney. After a brief assistant coaching stint with the Demon Deacons, Packer embarked on his broadcasting career.
While Billy joined CBS in the ’80s, he also worked as an analyst or color commentator in every Final Four tournament since 1975 after joining NBC in 1974.
In 1988, he was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1993 he earned a Sports Emmy for outstanding sports personality, studio and sports analyst. In 2008, he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
Billy Packer Age
He was born Anthony William Paczkowski on February 25, 1940, and died on January 26, 2023. He was 82.
Billy Packer Wife
Longtime college basketball commentator Billy Packer was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Packer.
Billy Packer Family
He was the son of longtime basketball coach Anthony Packer, who spent 16 seasons as the head coach at Lehigh. He was a father to children Mark, Liz and Brandt and was predeceased by his wife, Barb.
Billy Packer Death
Longtime college basketball announcer Billy Packer passed away on January 26, 2023, aged 82. Billy Packer’s son, Mark Packer, announced his death on Twitter Thursday. “The Packer Family would like to share some sad news,” Mark, a TV host on ESPN’s ACCNetwork, tweeted. “Our amazing father, Billy, has passed. We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with Barb. RIP, Billy. 🙏🏻.”
Mark also told the Associated Press that his father died of kidney failure after being hospitalized in Charlotte for three weeks with other medical issues.
“He really enjoyed doing the Final Fours,” Mark told the AP. “He timed it right. Everything in life is about timing. The ability to get involved in something that, frankly, he was going to watch anyway, was a joy to him. And then college basketball just sort of took off with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird and that became, I think, the catalyst for college basketball fans to just go crazy with March Madness.”
CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus also shared a statement on Twitter.
“Billy Packer was synonymous with college basketball for more than three decades and set the standard of excellence as the voice of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament,” CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said in a statement. “He had a tremendous impact on the growth and popularity of those sport. In true Billy fashion, he analyzed the game with his own unique style, perspective and opinions, yet always kept the focus on the game. As passionate as he was about basketball, at his heart Billy was a family man. He leaves part of his legacy at CBS Sports, across college basketball, and, most importantly, as a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all.”
“Rest in Peace to the most incredible Dad, mentor and best friend,” Brandt Packer wrote on Twitter. “My entire life I always tried to emulate him – how to be a husband, father, to prep for a telecast, you name it, he was the bar for me. Just crushed. But we have peace knowing Billy is in Heaven tonight with Barb.”
ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale took to Twitter as word of Packer’s death spread. “So sad to learn of the passing of Billy Packer who had such a passion for college basketball,” Vitale tweeted. “My (prayers) go out to Billy’s son Mark & the entire Packer family. Always had great RESPECT for Billy & his partners Dick Enberg & Al McGuire-they were super. May Billy RIP.”
Billy Packer Cause of Death
Legendary college basketball analyst Billy Packer died of kidney failure. He had been battling several medical issues at the time of his passing.
Billy Packer Net Worth
Billy Packer’s net worth was estimated to be $5 million. He was a big real estate investor, and also owned a vape company, among other ventures.
