Dan Hicks helped define greatness in sports broadcasting over three decades

A steady voice at major events

Hicks was a fixture at NBC Sports for well over 30 years, calling NFL playoff games, Notre Dame football, NBA broadcasts, PGA Tour events and majors, and the Summer and Winter Olympics. His sudden death at 64 followed an acute illness.

Colleagues remembered him for his professionalism on air and away from the cameras. Hicks rarely made himself the focus, allowing the games and athletes to take center stage while delivering consistently strong broadcasts.

A defining moment at Torrey Pines

Hicks’ call of Tiger Woods’ 12-foot birdie putt at the 2008 U.S. Open became one of golf’s best-known moments. Woods, battling a badly injured knee and broken leg, needed the putt on the 72nd hole to force an 18-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate. He won the playoff and his third U.S. Open the next day. As the putt dropped, Hicks said, “Expect anything different?” Colleague Jimmy Roberts later said the call suited the moment because it directed viewers’ attention to Woods’ extraordinary achievement, rather than to the broadcaster.

Phelps and the Beijing relay

Hicks was also closely associated with swimming at the Summer Olympics, covering Michael Phelps across four Games. Phelps won a record 23 gold medals, including eight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz’s record for gold medals at a single Games.

One of Hicks’ most memorable calls came during the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Phelps swam the opening leg, but Jason Lezak took over with the United States trailing France. Lezak produced a 46.06 split, nearly 1.5 seconds faster than Phelps, and secured a dramatic victory.

A legacy built around athletes

Hicks also called memorable NFL playoff games, major golf championships, Ryder Cups and Olympic gold medal events. Yet his voice will remain especially linked to Woods’ triumphs and Phelps’ achievements.

His understated approach helped make the athletes and their performances the focus. The famous Woods putt and the Beijing relay stand among the defining calls of a career spent chronicling major sporting moments.