Jim Nantz honored by North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame: 'There are no words'

Jim Nantz often isn’t at a loss for words.

Usually the soundtrack of some of the biggest events in sports and some of the biggest moments in history, the North Carolina native usually has the words to describe what he’s seeing and feeling. But when it comes to being inducted into his state’s sports Hall of Fame, you might not need to give him a second to find those words.

“Well, it means my life has kind of gone full circle,” Nantz said of his Hall of Fame induction via WCNC Charlotte. “There’s nothing like going home. Whoever came up with that old line, ‘You can never go home again,’ it’s not true. I mean, this is very meaningful to come back to this state that I love and has meant so much to me and my family. And to be recognized, there are no words.”

The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame ceremony wasn’t just about Nantz, however.

Steve Smith Sr., Bob McKillop, and Ron Wellman were also inducted on Friday. And Nantz, clearly thrilled to be among such an accomplished company, spoke extensively about this trio of individuals, highlighting how their paths had crossed with his own during his remarkable broadcasting career.

“Well, I’m looking at Steve Smith and was around Steve for most of his career,” said Nantz. “Whether it was here in Carolina — where he really made his career — or even when he was in Baltimore. And now that he’s been in the broadcast business, we worked together on Thursday Night Football. So, that’s very cool. I’ve always admired him.

“Coach McKillop, back when (Stephen Curry) and Davidson made that run in ’08, Billy Packer and I had their wins against Gonzaga and Georgetown — the first and second rounds. I had Davidson other years in the NCAA Tournament. I always admired him. I always thought he could’ve coached anywhere, but his commitment and loyalty to Davdison — what a first-class gentleman.

“Ron Wellman from Wake Forest was the chairman of the NCAA basketball committee, and that was a great part of my life. He’s just done everything in his life with great distinction. Very cool. It’s an amazing class. And I really appreciate them for some reason, deciding I belong in this group. It doesn’t feel real, but I’m gonna accept it tonight.”

Nantz reflected on his own career, being able to call seven Super Bowls and 32 National Championships and Final Fours. It’s hard for him to say anything second to that, but there’s this little event down at Augusta National called The Masters that holds a special place in his heart.

“I’m a father of three, and you try to pick of those sporting events, it’s the same thing,” he said. “Which one’s your favorite child? It’s a little difficult to zero in. But I will say, the tug in the heart was probably driven the most by the Masters tournament. It just always touched me as a kid. I think it was more predicated on the storytelling and quality of description of what I heard from those voices of my youth. I wanted to be one of those voices.”

And he very much is.

[WCNC Charlotte]