Saturday, August 03, 2002
Lakers announcer Chick Hearn hospitalized after fall
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Longtime Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn fell in his home and was hospitalized in critical condition Friday night.
The 85-year-old Hearn sustained bleeding inside his head and was scheduled for surgery, Northridge Hospital Medical Center spokeswoman Kate Preston said. She declined to release further details but said another announcement would be made Saturday.
Firefighters rushed to Hearn's San Fernando Valley home shortly before 8 p.m. after neighbors saw him fall, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said. The broadcaster's wife of 42 years, Marge Hearn, was at the hospital with him, he added.
Hearn has been the voice of the Lakers since the team moved to Los Angeles 42 years ago. Last season, in which Los Angeles won a third straight title, Hearn came back from heart surgery and a broken hip to announce all the playoff games.
He called a record 3,338 consecutive Lakers games over 36 years until the streak ended last season.
Hearn is credited with adding to the NBA lexicon such signature phrases as “slam dunk” and “air ball.”
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Lakers announcer Chick Hearn hospitalized after fall
