KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Bob Kesling, the "Voice of the Vols" whose commentary during games became iconic across Big Orange Country, said Thursday that this would be his final football season with the University of Tennessee.
He called basketball and football games for more than 25 years and plans to spend time with his family after he steps away from the microphone. For the team's first Spanish-speaking commentator, Carlos Lopez, the departure marks a pivotal moment in Vols history.
"When I got to the United States, that's all I knew," Lopez said. "He had a fan in me for a long time."
Lopez recently began calling games as part of Vamos Vols, the team's Spanish broadcast. Before he called games, Lopez was a student at UT listening to play-by-plays from Kesling. Lopez said he was one of the first voices he heard in sports.
Kesling's work inspired Lopez, and he said the Voice of the Vols supported efforts to bring Vols games to Spanish audiences.
"It's exciting to see the path you are carving for yourself, it's something I will never forget," Lopez said.
Before Kesling took over, John Ward held the position for more than 30 years — leaving big shoes to fill. But Bobby Rader, another sports broadcaster for the Vol Network, said Kesling rose to the challenge.
"He was always ready, and he will always be, until that last game," said Rader. "He also had to battle that he took over for a legend."
Kesling became a legend himself, and as Tennessee Football eyes a spot in the playoffs, Rader said he and several other fans have a single hope for him — to end his time at UT calling the championship in Atlanta.
"When he finally steps away, whoever replaces Bob, they're going to be replacing a legend as well," said Rader.