Rick Jeanneret

Matthew Hall of Fame Inductee: Rick Jeanneret


When I was a kid, I wanted to be the next Rick Jeanneret.


I’m glad I didn’t wait.


Jeanneret was already about 50 years old when I started really getting into sports. At the time, 50 seemed old! I would never have guessed that he’d still be announcing Sabre games when I was 40 and he was on the brink of turning 80. For 30 years of my life, RJ has been announcing, and sometimes creating, my favorite moments as a fan of the Buffalo Sabres.


I remember all the same calls that many of you remember. He scooooores! May Day, May Day! Tis the season, FaLalalalaLalaFontaine! Alexander the Great! Who says this guys’ afraid to fly… he left a vapor trail! Top shelf where momma hides the cookies! Are you ready Legion of Doom? Holy mackerel role the highlight film! Now do you believe? These guys are good… scary good! Hasek with a miraculous save… we are not worthy! Call the cops, he robbed him blind!


In a time when many announcers try to call a nice, balanced, unbiased game, Rick Jeanneret was an un-apologetic homer. He was a fan like us. He was a fan for us. He said things in a way we wished we could. By attaching audio to our visual memories, he burned amazing hits, fights, saves and goals into our hearts and minds forever.


TV? Radio? Wherever I needed to go to listen to Rick, that’s where I wanted to go. From puck drop to quadruple overtime if need be (I remember listening almost all night to that game), Sabre fans found their representative voice in RJ.


I’m so glad I had opportunity to go to RJ night on April Fools’ Day, 2022. Only a fool would fail to realize he’s been as big a part of Sabres’ hockey as anyone. His name now rightfully hangs from the rafters with some of the names he helped become legends of the game.


Additionally, I’d be a fool not to put Jeanneret in my personal Hall of Fame. From wanting his job when I grew up, to being glad he still had it when I did, Rick Jeanneret did something the team he cheered on never could… he reached the pinnacle of his profession.


HOF Category: Sports
HOF Object: Banner from RJ Night

The Matthew Hall of Fame

I have decided to create a personal HALL OF FAME. My Hall of Fame will consist of people, places, and things that have played a significant part in my life. However, I'm banning from my HOF people that I actually know (that would get messy).

Beyond that, there is no set criteria to make my HOF. With each new inductee, I will try to share an entertaining post explaining the rationale for the induction and how the inductee has played a role in my life. I will also try to acquire (if necessary) something to represent the inductee on a shelf in my office.

I plan for my HOF to be very picky (no easy entry). I will proceed in the coming weeks/months in no particular order. Links to each inductee will be found below.

Rick Jeanneret

TSB VI

TSB VI was held Sunday afternoon, February 6th, 2022. 

There were 9 participants. Our goal was to create a 16 team playoff bracket with one side made up of AFC teams and the other side being made up of NFC teams. Each participant was to control one team on each side of the bracket. Since we had 9, we did a PLAY-IN game on each side of the bracket. The 4 most inexperienced participants participated in the play-in game, but everyone was guaranteed at least 1 team in the bracket tournament. We drafted NFL teams using a snake draft (AFC --> NFC). 

AFC SIDE

Play-in: Jordan beat Nate (26-10)

1st Round

Jordan beat Joe 17-14

Nathan beat Steve 21-14

Nick beat Jeff S. 35-14

Matt beat Cameron F. 37-7

2nd Round

Nathan beat Jordan 17-14

Matt beat Nick 13-7

AFC Championship

Matt beat Nathan 31-0

NFC Side

Play-in: Jeff S. beat Cameron F. 28-7

1st Round

Joe beat Jeff S. 58-21

Jordan beat Steve 49-7

Nick beat Nathan 37-17

Matt beat Nate 38-0

2nd Round

Jordan beat Joe 17-14

Matt beat Nick 10-7

NFC Championship

Matt beat Jordan 17-13

SUPER BOWL

*Not applicable since Matt won both brackets

Silver Medal Game: Jordan beat Nathan 21-20

Participant Profiles

Matthew 6-0 (146-34 +112)
*Arizona & Cincy

Beat Cam 37-7

Beat Nate 38-0

Beat Nick 10-7

Beat Nick 13-7

Beat Nathan 31-0

Beat Jordan 17-13

Jordan 5-2 (157-99 +58)

*Minn & Buffalo

Beat Nate 26-10

Beat Joe 17-14

Beat Steve 49-7

Beat Joe 17-14

Lost to Nathan 14-17

Lost to Matt 13-17

Beat Nathan 21-20 (Silver)

Nathan 2-3 (75-117 -42)

*GB & Cleveland

Lost to Nick 17-37

Beat Steve 21-14

Beat Jordan 17-14

Lost to Matt 0-31

Lost to Jordan 20-21

Joe 1-2 (86-55 +31)

*SF & LAC

Beat Jeff S. 58-21

Lost to Jordan 14-17

Lost to Jordan 14-17

Nick 2-2 (86-54 +32)

*TB & Baltimore

Beat Nathan 37-17

Beat Jeff S 35-14

Lost to Matt 7-13

Lost to Matt 7-10

Jeff S 1-2 (63-100 -37)

*NYG & Indy

Beat Cam F 28-7

Lost to Joe 21-58

Lost to Nick 14-35

Steve 0-2 (21-70 -49)
*Dallas & Tenn

Lost to Jordan 7-49

Lost to Nathan 14-21

Cameron F 0-2 (14-65 -51)

*KC

Lost to Jeff S 7-28

Lost to Matt 7-37

Nate W 0-2 (10-64 -54)
*LAR

Lost to Jordan 10-26

Lost to Matt 0-38