BEREA — Longtime Browns broadcaster Gib Shanley passed away Sunday at the age of 76, the team announced.
Shanley — affectionately known as “The Gibber” — was the radio play-by-play voice of the Browns from 1961 to 1984, teaming with Jim Graner and Jim Mueller behind the mic.
He was most fondly remembered for broadcasting the Browns’ 27-0 win over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL championship, as well as for his emotional game calls of Cleveland’s “Kardiac Kids” team in 1980.
“Gib Shanley was the voice of the Browns for nearly a quarter of a century and provided Browns fans with many great memories from the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s,” the Browns said in a statement. “Many fans associated ‘The Gibber’ as the voice of the Browns and recognized him as a pioneer in sports broadcasting in Cleveland.”
Shanley passed away from pneumonia at a Cleveland hospital. A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Home in Middleburg Heights is handling the funeral arrangements.
The Shadyside native also served as the sports director at WEWS-TV 5 and WUAB-TV 43 during his storied three-decade career as a nightly anchor.
Shanley became the subject of national news reports in November 1979 after setting fire to an Iranian flag during a live Channel 5 newscast. The incident took place during the long crisis that saw American citizens held hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
Shanley, a member of the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and Ohio Sportscaster of the Year award winner, is survived by his four children and six grandchildren.
“Everyone associated with the Cleveland Browns is saddened by his loss,” the team’s statement said. “We send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Shanley family.”
Contact Brian Dulik at (330) 721-4059 or brisports@hotmail.com.
 

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