Larry Munson: Legendary Georgia Bulldogs Broadcaster Mourned After Death

Larry Munson, the legendary Georgia Bulldogs broadcaster who became the voice and representation of Bulldogs pride, reportedly passed away on Sunday night at the age of 89.

According to Munson's son, Michael, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Munson died of pneumonia complications.

And now, a man so many die-hard Bulldogs fans have come to know and love is being mourned, not only for the legendary broadcaster he was, but for who he was as an individual.

He embodied so much of what Georgia had become as a program, and it was hard to miss his voice every Saturday as the Bulldogs took the field, banners waved and fans swarmed around the stadium.

Said former Georgia quarterback and head coach Ray Goff, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

"

If you ask the average Georgia fan who best represents the spirit of Georgia football, it wouldn’t be a player or a coach. It would be Larry Munson. He cared about Georgia and our fans loved him for it. There will never be another one like him.

"

Starting in 1966, when Munson took hold of the mic, he was not just a voice attached to a game, rattling off play-by-play and faking emotion.

He breathed Georgia football, he soaked it up, and it wasn't uncommon for viewers to turn down the TV and turn up the radio to enjoy a game with a man who shared their passion unequivocally and without pretense.

He took over for the popular Ed Thilenius—a tough enough job—and he wasn't immediately accepted by a lot of Bulldogs fans.

But, over time, naturally, Munson became a legend in his own right and his call during Georgia's 35-31 upset of Tennessee in 1973 cemented his place in Georgia folklore, as did his call during Georgia's upset of Florida in 1975.

Said Munson in a 2004 interview:

"

I started hearing some things from folks. I didn’t plan any of that stuff. It just came out. I was just calling what I saw and what I felt.

"

Munson said after the Florida game that he never worried about being too emotional or too Gung-ho from that point forward. He knew his subjectivity would never go away, and he was proud of it.

So were Bulldogs fans.

Said Rod Bramblett, the current Auburn broadcaster who grew up listening to Munson:

"

The great thing about Larry is that you never had to wonder where he stood or who he was pulling for. The passion Larry has for Georgia, you just can’t fake. It’s real and the Georgia people know it’s real.

"

Tweeted Georgia Tech broadcaster and Munson's longtime friend Wes Durham on Sunday night:

Tweeted a Georgia Tech fan:

Tweeted another fan:

And another:

If you want to know just how many people appreciated Munson throughout his life, perhaps the greatest indicator is what has poured from people's hearts on Sunday night.