Buck Flowers
Georgia Tech's first College Football Hall of Fame inductee and a triple-threat halfback.
Buck Flowers was an American college football player who played as a halfback for the Davidson Wildcats in 1917 and for the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado from 1918 to 1920.
- birth_date
- August 21, 1899
- super_bowls_called
- None
- world_series_called
- None
- halls_of_fame_inductions
- College Football Hall of Fame
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Flowers was a triple threat, handling punting and drop kicks. Coach William Alexander called him the best punter Tech ever had and 'pound for pound, my greatest player'. As a safety, no player ever got past him for a touchdown. In 1955, he became the first Georgia Tech football player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
In Their Own Story
Buck's broadcasting legacy is defined by historic moments and a unique partnership with his son, Joe Buck. In 1969, following Harry Caray's departure, Jack ascended to lead play-by-play duties, a role he held for decades alongside Mike Shannon starting in 1972. He called legendary walk-off home runs, including Ozzie Smith's in Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS, Kirk Gibson's in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, and Kirby Puckett's in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series. Beyond baseball, he called the first NFL game played outside the United States on August 16, 1976, between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers in Tokyo. His career also included hosting 'At Your Service' on KMOX since 1960, featuring guests like Eleanor Roosevelt.
Reader's Guide
Buck Flowers played for Davidson College in 1917 and Georgia Tech from 1918 to 1920. He was a halfback, punter, and drop kicker. He was captain of the 1920 Georgia Tech team that went 8–1. After football, he worked in banking and insurance, and later as a mortgage supervisor for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
Did You Know?
- Flowers was born in Sumter, South Carolina, in 1899.
- He weighed only 115 pounds in high school.
- In 1917, he helped Davidson upset Auburn 21–7, returning a punt 65 yards for a touchdown.
- He led the country in punting in 1920 with an average of 49.4 yards per punt.
- Flowers died in 1983 in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 84.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Buck Flowers?
There is no record of a player named 'Buck Flowers' in Arizona Cardinals history; you are likely thinking of John 'Buck' Flowers, who was actually the legendary voice of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
What role did Buck Flowers play in football?
While he never played for the Cardinals, Buck Flowers is famous as a broadcaster who called 18 Super Bowls and became an icon on KMOX radio with his signature phrase 'That's a winner!'.
Why is Buck Flowers important to sports fans?
He is revered for nearly five decades of play-by-play announcing that covered both the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and major NFL events, earning him inductions into multiple halls of fame.
When was Buck Flowers born and when did he die?
John Francis 'Buck' Flowers was born on August 21, 1924, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and passed away on June 18, 2002.
Did Buck Flowers ever play for the Arizona Cardinals?
No, he never played professional football; his legendary status comes entirely from his broadcasting career with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and national television networks.
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