August 16, 2006
Paul Eells
Paul Eells, a veteran sportscaster whose trademark "Touchdown, Arkansas!" call is remembered by generations of sports fans, died in a car accident on July 31. He was 70.
A native of West Branch, Iowa, Eells graduated from the University of Iowa and launched his broadcasting career at KOKX-1310 AM radio in Keokuk, Iowa. He honed his sportscasting style at WMT-600 AM radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and at WSM radio and television in Nashville, Tenn., before moving to Arkansas in 1978.
Eells served as the sports director of KATV in Little Rock for the next 28 years, and was responsible for producing Channel 7's daily 5, 6 and 10 p.m. sportscasts. But he was best known as "The Voice of the Razorbacks" for providing riveting play-by-play coverage of Arkansas' football and basketball games for radio and television broadcasts.
Friends and colleagues described Eells as professional, gracious, humble, kind and "the nicest guy you'll ever meet.” He was named Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year 11 times and won several awards from The Associated Press for best sports play-by-play. Last February, he was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Gov. Mike Huckabee called Eells "a true Arkansas icon" and ordered all state and national flags to fly at half-staff on the day of his interment.
The beloved broadcaster was driving home from a golf tournament in Fayetteville, Ark., when he lost control of his Chevrolet Impala. His car crossed the median on Interstate 40 near Russellville, Ark., and crashed head-on into a 1997 Lincoln driven by Billie Jo Burton, 40, of Dover, Ark. According to the police report, Burton and Eells both died at the scene.
• Watch a Remembrance From WSMV
Posted on August 16, 2006 5:32 AM
Digg This God Bless you Paul! You will be so missed! Touchdown Heaven, you got a winner!
Posted by Joy on August 29, 2006 11:25 AMHte nicest man you will ever meet, rest in piece my friend.
Posted by Clayton on September 21, 2006 4:08 PMHe was the whole reason I even wathched the game. He was the spirit of Arkansa and no one could ever take his place. I, along with everyone, miss him. Eventhough I wasn't family, I feel as though he was mine. I pray for blessing over his household and for peace to fill the void in not only their hearts, but in all of Arkansa's!!!!!
Posted by Stephanie Burks on October 19, 2007 11:48 AMMy husband so loved Paul Eells... I painted him a modern portrait of him.