An Incredible Heart Made Crum Irreplaceable, Unforgettable

CENTRAL OHIO -- Central Ohio is mourning a legend Tuesday, and NBC 4 is mourning the passing of a great co-worker and friend.

Jimmy Crum, the dean of Central Ohio sports, passed away Monday night.

NBC 4's Colleen Marshall, Cabot Rea and Jerrod Smalley, along with some others, remember and celebrate their friend Jimmy.

RELATED: Former NBC 4 Sportscaster Jimmy Crum Dies

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VIDEO FROM THE VAULT:
Woody Hayes Celebrates Jimmy Crum
Jimmy Crum and his Charitable Work

IN HIS OWN WORDS: Jimmy Crum (1928-2009)

Rea said it was Crum's incredible heart that made him irreplaceable and unforgettable.

Crum was the sports authority for more than four decades.

He was voice of Buckeye basketball during the glory years of the '60s and the voice of the Cincinnati Bengals.

He was a friend to coaching legends Woody Hayes and Bobby Knight.

Crum was first and foremost a friend to Central Ohio children with disabilities.

The Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame member told Rea a few months ago -- at his labor of love tournament that benefits Easter Seals, Special Olympics and Recreation Unlimited -- how his love affair with Central Ohio children endured.

"There have been sportscasters who have come along who've been better than Jimmy Crum. I know that," Crum said at the tournament. "But the fact that I was involved with the community – I think that helped me stay at Channel 4 for 41 years more than anything else."

Marshall said Crum built his reputation as a journalist with integrity from behind the sports desk.

She said Crum once told her that he was there to report the story, not be the story.

He wasn't afraid to ask the tough questions, Marshall said. He, however, did allow his Buckeye bias to shine sometimes.

Crum told friends he was looking forward to playing golf this spring.

At a recent dinner honoring Crum, he told Marshall he was enjoying life.

"Well, I'm busier now than I was before I retired. But I'm doing what I want to do when I want to do it. And I don't have to worry about that 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. deadline every day."

NBC 4 Sports' Jerod Smalley got word of Crum's passing during Monday night's Fiesta Bowl.

Smalley talked to several people in the Buckeye community who knew Crum and were saddened by his death.

"Jimmy Crum was a special guy. He loved Columbus, Ohio, and loved Ohio State and loved Recreation Unlimited and so many great causes," Head Coach Jim Tressel said. "He fought a valiant fight. You talk about someone who had some adversity in his life. But he'd have that bright sports coat on. He never wanted you to feel bad for him. Very special."

"He came to visit me about a month ago," OSU President Gordon Gee said, " because we had missed a tournament because of the wins. He was just as lively as could be. Obviously he was frail but lively. I'm personally really heartbroken because he was such a good man and represented all that's good about Ohio and Ohio State.”

Smalley added that Crum really was a bright spot in his life, too. Smalley said he was an incredible man who shared a great deal of his knowledge and experience with Smalley.

"He was invaluable."

Smalley said he will miss Crum dearly.

We all will.

Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for the latest information in this developing story.
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