Stewart, who has been a part of the Alabama football broadcasts since 1998, says he is honored to be given the nod after the University of Alabama chose to not bring back longtime play-by-play announcer Eli Gold.
“I’m just grateful that I was asked to be next,” Stewart said on Good Day Alabama Monday. “And to follow not just Eli, but men that I had the privilege of knowing and who held that seat before he did, John Kenney and Paul Forney. I’m unbelievably blessed to be next in that line and I have a great responsibility to carry on the standard that each of those men did.”
Stewart, who found out he was going to be given the full-time job after filling in for Gold in 2022 and calling road games in 2023 on Wednesday, said he did not know he would be offered the position until the offer came.
“Did we all think that maybe Eli was near the end of his run? I think a lot of us did,” he said. “But as far as having any clarification, or definitive word, and certainly for it to be mine and me to be next, I wasn’t told I was until that day.”
Stewart said that, while there is going to be some negativity no matter how it was done, he was grateful for the outpouring of support he received when the news broke.
“The amazing thing is getting about 600-plus text messages literally in a 48-hour window from people that I know, that have known me, different stages of my life. And that doesn’t count social media messages,” Stewart said, adding that he understands the admiration and love for Eli Gold.
“I grew up listening to Eli,” Stewart said. “So to have known of him most of my life and having followed his career and then having had the chance to work alongside him in different roles for 20-plus years with the (Crimson Tide Sports) Network, I have great respect for him and his work. It’s been the standard for years.”
Stewart, who took over the announcing duties for Crimson Tide basketball in his early 30s, will look to carry his experience forward as the new full-time voice of Alabama Crimson Tide football. The duties include, not only the games, but also the hosting duties of “Hey Coach.”
He feels he is prepared for the task at hand.
“I’ve been a part of Alabama football broadcasts in one capacity or another since 1998. I did Coach Saban’s television show for more than a decade. I did fill in and was given the privilege of being one of the two voices officially this past season when we did the road games,” he said. “So, do I have the full-time role? Yes. I understand and respect greatly the responsibility I have and the men that had the responsibility before me. But it’s not one that I’m intimidated by. It’s one that I’ve prepared for.”
Stewart will begin as the full-time announcer on Saturday, April 13 when Alabama kicks off its annual A-Day spring game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The regular season will start on August 31 against Western Kentucky in Tuscaloosa.
