Longtime Blue Jackets broadcaster Bill Davidge announced his retirement following the conclusion of the season in a statement from the team Wednesday.
Davidge, who was diagnosed in 2014 with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the white blood plasma in the bone marrow, is nearly synonymous with the Blue Jackets franchise.
Davidge was an original member of the Blue Jackets organization, hired first as a scout, then as a radio color man, and most recently as Fox Sports Ohio's TV analyst. An icon in Ohio hockey history, Davidge played four years at Ohio State University, captaining the team as a senior in 1976-77. He went on to be an Assistant Coach, and later a head coach, in his time at Miami University from 1978-79 through 1988-89.
There was quite an outpouring of love for the popular broadcaster:
Bill Davidge, an original employee with #CBJ, first as a scout, then as radio color man with legendary George Matthews, and recently a @FOXSportsOH TV analyst, will retire at the end of this season.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 27, 2019
Davidge is one of the finest men youll ever meet.
Hockey was/is better with Bill Davidge. An absolute gem. Hes grown the game in the trenches with style and heart. Sticktaps to you, Billy. https://t.co/IOD1MX4fJ2
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) March 27, 2019
Congrats and best wishes to Buckeye alum and former captain @bdavidge99! He announced today he is retiring from the @BlueJacketsNHL broadcast team after this season. #ProBucks #GoBucks #CBJ https://t.co/TOsyyNUNAI
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) March 27, 2019
Happy Retirement to my former broadcast partner Bill Davidge!A Day 1 Jacket hes been on the NHL Columbus scene for 20 years. A great hockey guy - he was greater in his passion for the CBJ - his greatest attribute - being who he is - a great guy. Enjoy the golf!
— George Matthews (@IslesRadio) March 27, 2019
Former 1stOhioBattery writer Jeff Svoboda, who is now the Blue Jackets website reporter, had a fantastic sit down with Davidge in July of 2017, in a wide-ranging interview that hit on his fight against cancer, John Tortorella, and much more. We'd recommend giving it a read if you missed it.
