Gary Danielson loves to compete.
And like all elite competitors, what is never seen, or heard is the how they talk to themselves when all else is quiet. When doubters show up, they remind themselves they are playing a completely different game. Rather, an infinite one.
That’s Gary.
For decades we have heard his voice: coaching viewers and celebrating the game.
Today he joins the Y-Option podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor, 76® - keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.
I met Gary in 2018. I was calling pre-season games for the short lived Alliance of American Football League (AAF) and he was set to be the main voice on the air for the regular season. As the broadcast began I looked over my left shoulder and there he was. A legend in the business and a man studying the game, honing his craft.
At halftime I said hello but was too nervous to ask legit questions, gain advice and lean into his welcoming nature.
This past July that all changed.
We had a profound conversation at Big Ten Media Days, one that impacted me on so many levels, and since then have been able to forge a relationship. I learned that Gary, much like the giants in college football media, are kind, thoughtful and when in the twilight of their careers—only want to help.
He did. He has.
When I sat down with him for this week’s episode of Y-Option, I found a man who still sees the game the way a quarterback does—scanning the field, anticipating pressure, staying calm in chaos.
Gary has spent decades calling the biggest games in college football—his voice layered into the sport’s history like a soundtrack for fall Saturday’s. But beneath the broadcast polish is a story about grit, belief, and what it means to compete when the odds say otherwise.
He began as an overlooked college player who refused to give up. When the NFL didn’t call, he made his own calls—writing letters to every team in the league until one gave him a shot. That moment defined him. It wasn’t luck. It was conviction.
And that same conviction carried him through an extraordinary second act—not as a player, but as a broadcaster who treated every assignment like a game that mattered. Week after week, year after year, he studied film, built edges of puzzles, and trusted his instincts once the lights came on. He never coasted. He never took a play off.
What stands out most about Gary isn’t his longevity—it’s his consistency. Whether he was breaking down a play on CBS or in a production meeting with players, he has approached each moment with respect for those who play, coach and watch. He saw broadcasting as a responsibility—not just to inform, but to teach and reveal the deeper beauty of the game.
Now, in his final few games on CBS, there’s a grace to how he talks about walking away. He’s proud, but not boastful. Competitive, but grounded. What drives him is the same thing that fueled him as a player: doing the work, earning trust, and honoring the craft.
At 74, he still sees himself as a player—not because he misses the roar of the crowd, but because the mindset never left him. Compete. Prepare. Respect the game. Elevate your teammates. Finish strong. Inspire others. And always believe in yourself.
Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.
No planes this week as have a home game with Iowa visiting USC in a game that will be won at the line of scrimmage and what should be a sold out Coliseum. Hope you enjoy another week in college football, as the regular season is almost over.
As always—much love and stay steady,
Yogi
