Endless Summerall. (Insider).

I've spent this season working with the greatest living legend in pro football. That's a mouthful, I know, but can you think of anyone who has had a stronger presence in the NFL in the last half century than my Fox broadcast partner, Pat Summerall?

Pat has been involved with the NFL every Sunday, as a player and broadcaster, since 1952. He was a terrific kicker and two-way end with the New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions for 10 years, and he began his broadcasting career with CBS in 1961--when I was a year old. Some people thought Pat should retire when he and John Madden ended their great run, but that was silly. Who cares how old he is? The man still does football play-by-play better than anybody.

The most amazing thing about Pat is that when he prepares for a game, he doesn't take a single note. He's a great listener and retains what he hears. Besides, he is the epitome of "less is more." He has a beautiful economy of words, a skill that's particularly notable in this era of information overload. His easy pace has been great for me, because like most announcers, I work too fast. Pat lets the images do most of the work; he figures he's there to just help them along.

Pat is a very humble, dignified man. He carries the wisdom of five decades of NFL history with the grace of a true gentleman. When we entered the lobby of our hotel in Champaign, Ill., before the Detroit-Chicago game last weekend, who came up from behind, put his hands over Pat's eyes and said, "Guess who?" but Bears owner Ed McCaskey? He's welcomed warmly like that everywhere we go, and it's not just the old guard in the NFL. Emmitt Smith specifically requested that Summerall call the game in which he broke Walter Payton's career rushing record. I've also seen players who respect no one in the media get introduced to Pat and say, "Oh, Mr. Summerall, how nice to meet you." Instant respect.

Pat is 72, but his voice is ageless. I'll never get tired of listening to him.

Brian Baldinger, an offensive lineman for 12 seasons, can be heard on Sporting News Radio and seen on Fox Sports. Listen online at http://radio.sportingnews.com.

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