Neil Everett
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[edit] Biography
Neil Everett Morfitt (born 1962), now known as Neil Everett, is a sportscaster for the ESPN cable network. He can be seen on the network's SportsCenter as well as on ESPNEWS. During his tenure as a SportsCenter anchor, Everett has added Hawaiian surfing sayings to the show's famous repertoire of catchphrases.
Born in Portland, Oregon and raised in Spokane, Washington, the University of Oregon alumnus started out at a radio station in Florence, Oregon, then went out of broadcasting for over 15 years working at Hawaii Pacific University as an athletic administrator.
In 2000, Everett received his big break when an agent offered him a job at ESPN, on the recommendation of a friend. Everett has been there ever since. Before his ESPN debut, he worked as a sports director and reporter for KGMB, Honolulu, Hawaii's CBS affiliate.
[edit] Quotes
- "Bartender! JACK!!" (When a baseball player hits a home run)
- "Bartender, double shot of Canadian Club!" (whenever two of the Canadian NHL teams play)
- "He's got reservations for six!" (When a football player scores a touchdown)
- "Howzit!" (Hawaiian slang for "what's up!", said at the start of each SportsCenter he anchors)
- "Bartender! Something on ice!" (When a hockey highlight is about to start)
- "Can I dance with your date?!" (After a player gets dunked on, usually preceded by their name, e.g. "Ben Wallace! Can I dance with your date?!, reference to "Animal House")
- "He's with leather." (References a rumored Chris Berman pickup line to describe an acrobatic catch in baseball) [1][2]
- "One man gathers what another man spills." (Frequently used referring to a rebound in a Basketball highlight, lyric from the song "Saint Stephen" by the Grateful Dead)
[edit] Trivia
- Neil is a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
- His childhood idol was Gene Rayburn, host of the 1970s game show Match Game
- Everett appeared in the first current ESPN Mobile television commercial.
- On May 25, 2006, the Website Deadspin reported a rumor that Everett was suspended for one week, possibly for using the phrase, "He's with leather" during a May 15 SportsCenter broadcast, in reference to "You're with me, leather", a pick-up line allegedly used by fellow ESPN anchor Chris Berman (see above). The rumor proved to be false, as he anchored SportsCenter later that night.[3]
