Truly I feel the urge to scream we need MORE not LESS of Les Levine in a time where smiles are essential while hugs and handshakes are in short supply. Les Levine was called HOME Wednesday evening and the light that radiated from his smile and personality was extinguished only to be preserved in photos or so I thought. As the night wore on I thought more and more about this wonderful human being and the light burned brightly in my heart and soul. Les was special as he SHARED AND CARED. Immediately he took me in to do commentary in 1990 for the CSU Vikings when clearly he had control of the games doing them by himself. Always constructive and informative with his comments Les made sure to include his new partner in all banter and game calls and truly made me better. Just watching and listening to Les no doubt helped me advance after a decade in the business to hosting the Browns network. Les always had time for you if you took the time to ask and just knowing that I could always listen to him on the way home on 1420 WHK made the end of the day something to even look more forward to on a daily basis. Les was the guy that you always made sure to know when he was on the air, whether it be TV or RADIO and being asked to join the MORE SPORTS AND LES LEVINE televised show as always the highlight of anyone's day. Quick with a quip, a thoughtful response and respect for his fans, Les epitomized the fact that those on air needed to be fans of their listeners.
There was more than the media side of Les. There was also a caring human side. When my wife was in the toughest times fighting breast cancer Les was on the phone once a week for almost a year checking on her, me and the family. When his wonderful wife was fighting her own battles Les graciously accepted calls of support but of course when word of his Parkinson's diagnosis hit he still was more concerned about others ailments and maladies.
I know many feel like I do now...please GOD just one more "How Come Quickie," Just one more "Today"? Certainly we will continue to replay his shows physically and mentally. Why? Because LES IS US, a part of who we are and what we do. Shucks I already miss that man. I was planning on seeing him when he got home and telling him how much I, how much WE loved him. He knows it and there will be a time I will tell him other then in this forum. I am sad, a mess and no doubt Les would frown about that. Indeed in closing I need to say of all the blogs I have done this is the most recent. Love you Les.