CBS’ Gary Danielson excited to be back in Big Ten country
It has been over 50 years since Gary Danielson was last under center for Purdue football. While the former Boilermaker quarterback's journey as one of the top broadcasters in the business has led him back to West Lafayette on occasion, his final announcing chapter will have him staying in Big Ten country for good.
Danielson spent nearly two decades with ABC/ESPN, where he starred alongside Brad Nessler in the booth before the two moved to CBS. He now moves again from calling SEC games in the fall to his old stomping grounds of the Big Ten as CBS Sports' Lead College Football Analyst, and he couldn't be more excited.
"I've had a charmed career broadcasting. I was there for a lot of great Big Ten games. Now, to go back and finish up my career [there], I'm a pretty lucky guy," Danielson said.
Growing up in Michigan, Danielson always dreamed of one day suiting up for a Big Ten program. He got that opportunity with the Boilermakers and was a three-year starter for former head coach Bob DeMoss.
"It's just kind of surreal," Danielson told Boiler Upload. "When I was a kid, my only dream was to play in the Big Ten. I said this a number of times when I was younger, the two great things you can do is play in a Super Bowl or play in a Rose Bowl."
While Danielson is a member of the famed "Cradle of Quarterbacks," his Purdue career was not all sunshine and rainbows. Purdue enlisted a wishbone offense when Danielson was with the program, which featured Boilermaker legend and All-American running back, Otis Armstrong.
Danielson admitted that in modern-day college football, he probably would have transferred due to the offensive scheme in West Lafayette. Despite the hardships, Danielson appreciates all that Purdue gave him during his time on campus.
"It was a difficult journey. You had to believe in yourself, but it worked out. It made me tougher, made me humble," Danielson said. "I'm really proud of what Purdue gave me in fortitude and determination."
There was just one aspect of his Boilermaker career that he regrets; not having the team success that he would have liked. Purdue went just 13-18 during his time as starting quarterback but was within a game of a Rose Bowl berth in 1972, losing to No. 3 Michigan 9-6 late in the season.
"We regret we didn't do better, and I regret it most. I got a great family and a great life out of it, but football was unfulfilled," Danielson said.
Danielson reached new heights during his NFL career, throwing for 13,764 yards and 81 touchdowns across 13 seasons with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns. He remains fifth in Lions history in passing yards and passing touchdowns. That success on Sundays earned him a spot in Purdue's Cradle of Quarterbacks.
"I think in my own way, I succeeded and made Purdue proud of another graduate," Danielson said. "My career was as good as I hoped it'd be in the NFL. I tell people, you can't play 13 games in the NFL if you can't play, and I played 13 years."
Danielson hasn't made it back to West Lafayette as much as he'd like, but the former quarterback always keeps an eye on his alma mater during the fall. He paid close attention to the Boilermakers' run to the Big Ten Championship Game in 2022.
"It was fun watching them last year. A team that kind of over-achieved and got into the Big Ten Championship, that was fun to watch," Danielson said.
After the leader of that team, Jeff Brohm, packed his bags for Louisville, Mike Bobinski and the Purdue brass hired Ryan Walters to be the program's new head coach. Danielson has prior experience with Walters and sees similar qualities to a College Football Hall of Fame head coach that calls the Big Ten home.
"I've known Ryan [Walters] a long time. He's a dynamic individual," Danielson said. "Leadership means a huge deal. When Barry Alvarez went to Wisconsin, all of his coaches that he knew, Lou Holtz too, said don't take that job. But the dynamic personality of Barry pulled that program up. I don't know a reason why Ryan can't be that type of guy."
So as Purdue's future gets put in new hands, it'll be comforting for Purdue fans that a old voice will be calling it.