We Were All His Buddies

Broadcaster Bob Griffin will always be remembered

If you grew up in Texarkana or the Four States Area, chances are you grew up with Bob Griffin on your TV screen. And he was more than a beloved broadcaster. He was a friend, a member of the family — even if you never met him in person.

For the children of the 1960s, he was the host of “Bob and His Buddies,” an afternoon show that everyone rushed home from school to watch.

From there he made his mark as a sports reporter and commentator. Many readers will recall the longtime Channel 12 news team with anchor Don Owen, weatherman Al Bolton and Griffin helming sports.

After three decades with Shreveport CBS affiliate KSLA, Griffin moved to KTBS, the city’s ABC station. There he anchored weekend morning news and started doing travel features. He also wrote for the old Shreveport Journal and had shows on various radio stations, including “The Bob Griffin Radio Show,” a Christian-themed broadcast on KEEL.

Beyond Griffin’s popularity with viewers, he was appreciated by his peers as well. He was named Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year in 2005 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association in 2009. The Louisiana Association of Broadcasters gave him its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. In 2017 he received the Sports Hall of Fame Legend Award. And in 2018, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences inducted him into its Gold and Silver Circles.

Here at the Gazette, we remember Griffin warmly. He frequently called for local sports scores and was always warm and gracious.

Bob Griffin, who died Monday at the age of 85, was a part of of our daily lives over the years. He will truly be missed.