Pioneering Figure Was 77

Charlie Jones, a veteran sportscaster whose career as a play-by-play announcer dated to the beginning of the American Football League in 1960, died of a heart attack on June 12 at his home in La Jolla, Calif. He was 77.

Jones, whose career spanned more than 40 years, started at ABC in 1960, the AFL’s maiden season. In 1965 he moved to NBC, where he remained until 1997.

He announced 28 sports with NBC, including golf, tennis, baseball and figure skating. He also covered the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Born Nov. 9, 1930, in Fort Smith, Ark., Jones earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California and a law degree at the University of Arkansas.

Jones is survived by his wife, Ann, two children and three grandchildren.