Last week, Alabama played what would be considered a warm-up game before the season’s first big test on Saturday against Texas. The scenario is no different from the Crimson Tide’s legendary play-by-play announcer Eli Gold.
After missing an entire year due to cancer, Gold returned last week for a warmup of his own, calling the Crimson Tide’s victory over Middle Tennessee State. This week, he will call his first big game since coming back to the booth. ESPN’s "College GameDay" put “The Voice of the Crimson Tide” at center stage, displaying a heartwarming piece dedicated to Gold’s comeback from cancer.
The segment opened up with a meaningful simile from Gold.
“This job is like holding a rare piece of crystal,” Gold said. “I always knew it. It’s now been re-enforced.”
Gold has called Alabama football games since 1988, only missing one game until last season. A college football Saturday without hearing Gold on the Alabama call is unimaginable for fans. During the segment, head coach Nick Saban outlined how much Gold means to the Alabama program.
“There’s tradition in any program, and Eli’s been a part of that tradition for a long time,” Saban said. “When people listen, they expect to hear Eli Gold.”
Back in March 2022, Gold woke up with his legs not being able to work. Seven months of being in and out of hospitals and medical centers with no answers, Gold lost 140 pounds. Finally, after a bad case of the hiccups, doctors discovered a cancerous tumor on Gold’s esophagus. Four months later, on April 21, 2023, Gold rang the bell signaling the end of his cancer treatment.
Finally, after missing an entire year from the booth, Gold is back handling the play-by-play for all the Alabama home games with Chris Stewart, who filled in during Gold’s absence, handling the away games. However, Gold did promise that if Alabama is in the College Football National Championship game in Houston, he’ll be there.
“Football is upon us, and that's the best medicine I could've had,” Gold said.
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