Harold Johnson retires

Local sports should be the focus.

 

i think we do a good job of that--but our show is more state-wide, so its local for the state, follow?

 

i think thats the way its heading.

I was never a big fan of HJ. thought he had the easiest job in the world. come in sunburned from playing golf all day, 3 minute sportscast. I do remember in 93 he said if the Tar Heels won the championship, he would get the Eric Montross flat top haircut. They did and he did. Went to Montross' barber shop and got one. that was pretty cool IMO

 

Well, love him or hate him, you hate to hear this.

His wife, Linda, passed away in Statesville Sunday. I knew she was not doing well health wise, and that is one of the reasons he wanted to retire.

Just sad to see that he wasn't able to spend more time with her with his retirement.

 

She was his main reason for retiring. Thoughts to HJ....

 

i saw that too. hang in there big guy.

3

 

Sorry to hear about his wife's passing. i met the big guy a couple of times, very personable and genuine. Hope the retirement gets better than it has started out for "The Big Guy"

 

Never liked him very much but can't imagine losing my wife. 3 for her. If she was sick why didn't he retire earlier?

 

From the Charlotte Observer article on his retirement.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/16134286.htm

Johnson had originally planned to retire last summer. He wanted to spend more time, particularly at night, with his wife, who had developed health issues.
Instead, he said, station management altered his schedule so he wouldn't have to do 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. He agreed to stay through the November ratings period, which ended Wednesday. (Nov. 29, to which he had his last broadcast on Thursday, the 30th)

 

They are quite the humanitarians altering his schedule to keep him around through ratings. He should have left earlier IMO. I know I would have. The gig will be there forever, the family won't