17 Facts About Russ Winnie

Russell Griffith Winnie was an American sports commentator.

Russ Winnie announced games for the Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball teams, as well as for the minor league Milwaukee Brewers baseball team.

Russ Winnie was the son of Professor Alonza Winnie, a superintendent at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf.

Russ Winnie initially had no interest in sports broadcasting or radio.

Russ Winnie attempted to get a job in the advertising department of the Milwaukee Journal but was declined.

Russ Winnie did play-by-play commentary for the Wisconsin Badgers football team across their 1929 season and announced games for their basketball team.

In November 1929, Russ Winnie served as the announcer for the first commercially broadcast game of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.

Russ Winnie went on to serve as the Packers' play-by-play radio announcer for 18 years, retiring after the 1946 season.

Russ Winnie was their announcer as they won their first six championships in franchise history, all under head coach Curly Lambeau.

Thanks to his untamed exuberance and dramatic flair, Russ Winnie turned many of his listeners into fiercely loyal, lifelong Packers fans.

Russ Winnie had such popularity with fans that he would often receive extended ovations when introduced at events, similar to what would happen when Packers players were introduced.

Russ Winnie retired from announcing in December 1946, after having been the voice of the Packers for 18 seasons, the announcer for the Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball teams for 16 years and the Milwaukee Brewers for six years.

Russ Winnie had run a daily-except-Sunday sports talk show named "Sports Flash" for 18 years.

Russ Winnie totaled between 7,000 and 8,000 sports broadcasts in his career.

Russ Winnie became manager for the radio station in 1946 and was the assistant manager for the television station starting in 1953.

Russ Winnie died while on vacation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 30,1956, at the age of 49.

Russ Winnie had dealt with heart problems prior to his death.