Legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz is preparing to call his 40th Masters Tournament this week. Over 20 years ago, however, the face of CBS Sports nearly became the centerpiece of the network’s morning programming. In a thoughtful feature by GOLF’s James Colgan, Nantz shares a compelling story from his past about a tough decision he faced early in his career. With nearly two decades of broadcasting experience at CBS under his belt, Nantz was offered the opportunity to anchor CBS This Morning in 2004 when he was just 44 years old.
Choosing whether to accept the position was one of the most challenging decisions of his life. It became even more significant thanks to a conversation with the legendary Arnold Palmer weeks later. As a close confidante of Nantz, Palmer was keen to understand the reasoning behind the broadcaster’s choice. Per Colgan:
It’d been a painstaking negotiation, and the job had promised to redefine Nantz’s career and schedule, but Nantz found he couldn’t accept.
“I couldn’t give up on the childhood dream,” Nantz said. “I just couldn’t.”
The decision was tough and felt isolating, marking the first major life event that didn’t include Nantz’s father.
Palmer paused and said, “You don’t understand. Your father helped you make that decision. You were listening to him.” He pointed a finger at Nantz’s chest, adding, “He was right there, in your heart, the whole time.”
This story was so important to Nantz that he shared it during Palmer’s funeral in 2016, expressing, “It’s gonna hurt when he’s not there to pick up the phone. It’s gonna hurt when he’s not there on the first tee when that springtime tradition rolls around. But I hope you’ll always remember: He’s right here.”
No doubt, Nantz’s legacy would have been different if he had taken that job over two decades ago. Yet, it is evident that while he wrestled with that decision, in his heart, the choice was straightforward. Nantz is a sports fan, particularly a golf enthusiast. How could he, a college golfer from Houston and a historian of the game, give up the continuous coverage of the sport he is passionate about?
Fortunately for golf fans, as well as anyone who has appreciated Jim Nantz’s extensive coverage across various sports throughout his 40-year career, he followed his heart, leaving the sports world better for it.
