Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kevin Harlan

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kevin Harlan made an impact.

Kevin Harlan is a prominent American sports announcer known for his play-by-play commentary on NFL, NBA, and college basketball games. He currently works for CBS and TNT. Harlan comes from a sports background; his father, Bob Harlan, was the President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers. He is a veteran broadcaster with 40 consecutive seasons announcing NFL games and 38 years announcing NBA games.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1980: Furman's First Tournament Win Since 1980

On March 16, 2023, Furman won their first tournament game since 1980, with Kevin Harlan on the call.

1982: Voice of the Kansas City Kings

In 1982, at age 22, Kevin Harlan became the TV and radio voice of the NBA's Kansas City Kings.

1985: Calls games for the Kansas City Chiefs

In 1985, Kevin Harlan started calling games for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

1986: Called football and basketball games for the University of Missouri

From 1986, Kevin Harlan called football and basketball games for the University of Missouri.

1989: Voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves

In 1989, Kevin Harlan became the play-by-play voice of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.

1991: Called NFL football for NBC

In 1991, Kevin Harlan called NFL football for NBC.

1992: Called College football for ESPN

From 1992, Kevin Harlan called college football for ESPN.

1993: Departure from Kansas City Chiefs

In 1993, Kevin Harlan stopped calling games for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

1994: Called NFL for Fox

From 1994, Kevin Harlan called NFL for Fox.

1995: Called Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis Jr. boxing match

In 1995, Kevin Harlan called the Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis Jr. boxing match.

1996: Joined Turner Sports to broadcast NBA playoff games

In 1996, Kevin Harlan joined Turner Sports to broadcast NBA playoff games.

1997: Began calling games throughout the entire NBA season for Turner Sports

In 1997, Kevin Harlan began calling games throughout the entire NBA season for Turner Sports.

1998: Began working for CBS

In 1998, Kevin Harlan began working for CBS after four years at FOX.

March 13, 1999: First NCAA Tournament for CBS

On March 13, 1999, Kevin Harlan worked his first NCAA Tournament for CBS, covering first and second round games in the West Region in Seattle, featuring Gonzaga University's upset of Stanford.

2001: Broadcasted CBS HD feed of Super Bowl XXXV

In 2001, Kevin Harlan broadcast the CBS HD feed of Super Bowl XXXV.

2003: Calls Packers preseason games

Since 2003, Kevin Harlan has called the preseason games of his hometown Packers for the team's statewide television network.

2005: Voice in the NBA 2K video game series

Since 2005, Kevin Harlan has lent his voice to the NBA 2K video game series.

May 12, 2008: "LeBron James with no regard for human life!"

On May 12, 2008, Kevin Harlan was the play-by-play announcer for TNT's coverage of the NBA playoff game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics, where he famously exclaimed "LeBron James with no regard for human life!" after a dunk by James.

2008: Departure from Westwood One's Final Four Coverage

Until 2008, Kevin Harlan was the voice of Westwood One Radio's Final Four coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

2009: Lead Announcer for Monday Night Football

In 2009, Kevin Harlan became Westwood One's lead announcer for Monday Night Football and called his first Super Bowl in Super Bowl XLV.

2009: Lead NFL Radio Voice for Westwood One

In 2009, Kevin Harlan became the lead NFL radio voice nationally for Westwood One and Monday Night Football. Since then, he has broadcast 14 consecutive Super Bowls on that platform.

September 12, 2016: Play-by-play of Fan Running on Field

On September 12, 2016, Kevin Harlan provided the radio play-by-play for Westwood One's coverage of the Monday Night Football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, where he famously described a fan running onto the field, a call Deadspin referred to as an "All Timer".

February 4, 2018: Called "Philly Special" in Super Bowl LII

On February 4, 2018, Kevin Harlan called Super Bowl LII on the radio for Westwood One when the Philadelphia Eagles ran the "Philly Special" trick play.

May 12, 2019: Call of Kawhi Leonard's Buzzer Beater

On May 12, 2019, Kevin Harlan was the play-by-play announcer for TNT's coverage of Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors, where he called Kawhi Leonard's dramatic buzzer-beating shot.

November 4, 2019: Call of a Black Cat Running on the Field

On November 4, 2019, Kevin Harlan provided the radio play-by-play for Westwood One's coverage of a Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants when a black cat ran onto the field.

November 10, 2019: Call of Lamar Jackson's Touchdown Run

On November 10, 2019, Kevin Harlan was the play-by-play announcer for a game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, where he called Lamar Jackson's impressive 47-yard touchdown run.

December 29, 2019: Commentating the Chargers at the Chiefs

On December 29, 2019, Kevin Harlan commentated the Los Angeles Chargers at the Kansas City Chiefs game, when he began calling the Miami Dolphins at the New England Patriots game; with the Chiefs win and a New England loss, the Chiefs would claim a first-round bye.

February 7, 2021: Call of Streaker During Super Bowl LV

On February 7, 2021, during Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kevin Harlan was the radio play-by-play announcer when he called a streaker running onto the field.

2022: Broadcast his first NBA All Star game for TNT

In 2022, Kevin Harlan broadcast his first NBA All Star game for TNT, as well as the Western and Eastern Conference Finals.

March 16, 2023: Call of Furman's Go-Ahead 3-Pointer

On March 16, 2023, Kevin Harlan called Furman's go-ahead 3-pointer against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64, a call that went viral. Furman won the game 68-67.

May 12, 2024: Call of Jamal Murray's Buzzer Beater Attempt

On May 12, 2024, during Game 4 of the playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Harlan made a call on Jamal Murray's buzzer beater attempt at the halftime buzzer.