80-year-old high school football legend, "Knobby," still in the game

WAUKESHA COUNTY (WITI) -- Kettle Moraine High School hosts the big game between Waukesha West and Waunakee. The winner goes to Madison to play for the D2 championship next Friday, November 21st. One high school legend, with over 60 years in the game is now in the broadcast booth and he has a name that stuck with him almost as long as he's been in the game.

"In junior high school we had boxing in those days and I was helping one of the kids out and he was crying a little bit and I put my arm around him and the instructor at that time was a Joe Palooka comic strip.  Joe Palooka's manager was Knobby Walsh, and we kinda off the cuff said, hey Knobby is your fighter ready?  and that's how it started," said Knobby Kelliher, high school coach legend.

Kelliher is 80-years-young and still around the game after 60 years -- and he started as a player at Madison.

"We did a lot of good things and I was lucky to, I went to Central High School in Madison and then later came back to coach at Central and Madison East and one of the guys up here in the press box was running my players," said Killiher.

"Knobby was a tough coach, he was a guy that got after you but he was fair. He would talk to you a lot about football, a lot about life. He's a heck of a lot more fun now that I'm not his player anymore," said Dan Goodman, played high school football for Knobby.

FOX6 Sports', Tom Pipines, asked Killiher if the kids have changed over the years as players.

"I have kids playing today at 285lbs, maybe they're getting involved a little too early and when you're 10 or 11 years old, it's pretty tough to go out there and play tackle football," said Kelliher.

Still sharp as a tack, 80-year-old Kelliher talked about his broadcasting and how it has satisfied his appetite for the game.

"Well that started out quite a few years ago. A guy that I went to high school with talked me into doing a game with him one time and then when it was all over I got a call from WSDO radio, wanted to know if I was interested in doing that again, they'd like to have me so that was about 17-18 years ago and I'm still going," Kelliher said.

Kelliher also brings a bit of personality to the broadcasts as well.

"I keep looking at some of these guys, they make my job pretty easy," said Kelliher.