‘Whoa, Nellie!’ Keith Jackson might retire

Announcer, 77, to only return if ESPN executives can talk him out of leaving

AP file	Sportscaster Keith Jackson admits he's making on-air mistakes now. ‘I'm 77 and I feel it,’ Jackson told the paper, ‘and I hate it.’

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updated 3:08 a.m. ET March 23, 2006

Keith Jackson has not retired from ABC Sports, but he reportedly is seriously contemplating it. He told the New York Times Wednesday night that he planned to tell ESPN executives in discussions that begin Thursday: "I'm retired. Talk me out of it.' "

He added: "My posture is, I consider myself retired. I can feel the fork. Fifty-three seasons is a long time."

Jackson told the Times he did not expect to be persuaded to stay but would listen to any offer from ESPN, which operates ABC Sports. "Their approach has been, 'Tell us what makes you comfortable,' " he said.

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Jackson admits he's making on-air mistakes now.

"I'm 77 and I feel it," Jackson told the paper, "and I hate it."

Jackson planned to retire after the 1998 college football season but was asked to stay by Howard Katz, then the new head of ABC Sports.