CLEVELAND -- The former voice of the Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland television icon Gib Shanley has died. Shanley passed away this afternoon from complications of pneumonia. He was 76-years-old.Shanley's broadcasting career covered three decades from 1961 through 1984.
Shanley grew up in Shadyside, Ohio, attended Shadyside High School. From there he went to radio broadcasting school in Washington D.C., where he started his career in radio.
Shanley first came to Cleveland in 1961, and worked for WGAR AM-1420 Radio as play by the NFL's Cleveland Browns and the Ohio State Football Games. Shanley continued his work with the Browns as co-commentator and play-by-play with the likes of sportcasters Jim Graner, Jim Mueller, and former Browns' offensive tackle Doug Dieken until 1984. At about the same time, Shanley began his work on television as the evening sports anchor for ABC-TV affiliate WEWS, where he also served as sports director.
In November 1979, Shanley gained widespread attention locally when made a controversial public statement against the pubilc displaying of the Iranian Flag and the burning of the American Flag by pro-Ayatullah Khomeini supporters in New York City by burning an Iranian flag himself on a WEWS-TV 11:00 p.m. telecast during the Hostage Crisis in Iran.
Shanley continued full time in his job capacity at WEWS before becoming Sports Director for the then fledglng independent station WUAB-TV channel 43's 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. newscasts in 1988. Shanley was the lead sports anchor, and he continued there until 1993.
In 1995 Shanley returned to WEWS-TV as its weekend sports anchor. In addition to this, in 1996 Shanley became guest commentator on the weekly sports wrap-up/NFL coverage and commentary show "Countdown to 99" that was hosted by the late Casey Coleman and former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Reggie Rucker.
In 1991 Shanley was inducted in the Ohio Broadcastsrs' Hall of Fame. He also received the Ohio Sportscaster of the Year Award numerous times and he will always be remembered as a legend.
The Director's Cut Blog had heard that Gibber was in bad health for the past several months. All of us at WKYC are greatly saddened by Gib's passing today.
He is survived by his four children and six grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are still pending.Gib is pictured at the right with former WKYC Sports Anchor Jim Graner.
Biography courtesy: wikipedia.org
Classic photo courtesy: clevelandseniors.com
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Steve Ripepi, president of the A. Ripepi and Sons Funeral homes, on behalf of the Shanley family has announced funeral arrangements for broadcasting great, Gib Shanley.
Visitation Hours:
Friday April 11 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. @ Ripepi and Sons Funeral Home, 18149 Bagley Road Middleburg Heights
Funeral Services:
Saturday April 1211 a.m. @ Our Lady of Angels Church, 3644 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland
WKYC VIDEO FEATURES:
*WKYC Sports Anchor Jim Donovan remembers Gib: CLICK HERE
YOUTUBE VIDEO FEATURES:
*Gib on WEWS/Channel 5: CLICK HERE
*"Catch 5" Promo with Gib: CLICK HERE
YOUR MEMORIES:
To share your memories of Gibber, feel free to post your comments below.
