Chris Berman Tribute to Jim McKay "A Bit Flippant"

BALTIMORE -- At a memorial tribute to the recently deceased Jim McKay last week, fellow sportscaster Chris Berman delivered a speech that some thought was less than appropriate for the occasion. Approaching the podium wearing a humorously unconventional bright blue bow tie, Berman proceeded to fill his speech with clever catch-phrases and nicknames characteristic of his broadcasting style, repeatedly referring to Mr. McKay as Jim "Mac Daddy" McKay, "Jumpin' Jim McKatydid," or Jim "I'm Okay, Are You" McKay.

Eyebrows were immediately raised and an awkward silence quickly ensued after Berman started off his speech by saying, "Back, back, back, back, back, back, DEAD!"

"I'm not opposed to a little good-natured humor in a eulogy, but I just thought the whole thing was a bit flippant," said Sean McManus, McKay's son and president of CBS Sports. "Especially when he said, 'The thrill of living... the agony of death!'" (putting a spin on McKay's trademark phrase, "the thrill of victory... the agony of defeat").

Berman noted that McKay lived all the way to "the ripe old age of 80 triple deuce," an alternative term for the number 86, adding that if he survived a few more months, he would have made it to "80-sevski," or 87. He likened McKay's life to a running back breaking free for an open-field run, exclaiming, "He could... go... all... the... way... but he doesn't! Pushed out of bounds by the Grim Reaper at the 4 yard line! An 86-year run. WHOOP! Deadskis!"

Berman made his speech short and sweet, explaining that he had to get back home and think of more words and expressions that sound similar to the names of famous athletes before his next broadcast.