Ex-Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson recently announced his retirement from the broadcast booth as an analyst for Fox Sports. Johnson was among a list of growing analysts on the combination of numerous network and cable telecasts.

But who did we watch and follow back in the day? Who were the pioneers of the industry that slowly got this part of the broadcast industry underway?

And who were some of the former players who may have been forgotten for their contributions behind the mike — and not simply on the field.

In this version of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll take a look back at some of the former coaches and players who made the move from the sidelines and the field to the booth.

Also, I’ll recall some of the groundbreaking analysts we watched growing up.

Next week, I’ll also reveal the results of a Times News Sports Facebook poll asking who was the most popular analyst back in the day. Take a second or two to vote if you haven’t already.

Finally, who or what was Mr. Microphone? Do you remember the Junkyard Dog? And does Dave Campbell from ESPN ring a bell?

They Set the Bar ... If you’re a child of the 60s, 70s and even earlier, there are some names that still stay with us.

Anyone remember “The Galloping Ghost of Gonzaga?” He was Tony Canadeo, a former Packers’ standout in the late 40s and 50s, and also was one of the game’s initial and recognized color commentators/analysts for CBS from 1959-67, working with legendary play-by-play man Ray Scott. (I remember Scott from his Penn State football Sunday highlight show on Channel 16).

Former Phillies’ broadcaster Bill Campbell also called NFL games for CBS in the late 50s.

Along with Canadeo — who was called the “Galloping Ghost” due to his premature gray hair — Kyle Rote and Al DeRogatis were also trailblazers.

Rote, a former Giants’ star whose son Kyle Jr. was a soccer star, broke into the business with NBC in the 60s and became a staple throughout most of the 70s.

DeRogatis, another ex-Giant who we knew by his glasses, is most recognized for his work with Curt Gowdy on the old AFL broadcasts, as well as NFL games on NBC from 1966-75. He worked Super Bowls III, VII, and IX and also several Orange Bowls. DeRogatis’ chemistry and delivery timing with Gowdy was always worth listening and watching.

From One Headset to Another ... In the 80s and beyond, several noteworthy coaches made their debut in the booth.

Besides John Madden, others who initially made the transition were Norm Van Brocklin, Hank Stram, George Allen, Dick Vermeil, Mike Ditka, Bill Walsh, Bill Cowher, Brian Billick, Herm Edwards, George Seifert, Jerry Glanville and Steve Mariucci.

From the above bunch, I thought Walsh never got the credit he deserved, Billick was solid, and Mariucci continues to be very insightful.

In Case You Forgot ... Over the years, there have been a number of ex-players who were analysts/color commentators who may have slipped through the cracks.

Some of them include Carl Eller, Sonny Jurgensen, Roman Gabriel, Fred Dryer, Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, Len Dawson and Nick Buonoconti. And of course, Dandy “Don” Meredith, Frank Gifford, Fred Williamson, Alex Karras and Fran Tarkenton from the early days of “Monday Night Football.”

“You Are Looking Live” ... In 1975, CBS set a new standard when they introduced “The NFL Today” with Brent Musberger, former Eagles’ cornerback Irv Cross, and former Miss America Phyllis George. Initially it was a unique mix of personalities from different backgrounds, but it worked.

If you remember, George was a co-host for the legendary show “Candid Camera” in 1974.

Jimmy “The Greek’ Snyder joined the trio the following year, and the show began to be a must-watch before Sunday’s kickoffs.

This was our first look at pre-game activities at stadiums around the league for 1 o’clock starts, and Musberger teased it perfectly with his opening line of “you are looking live.”

Snyder introduced gambling into pregame shows, but did it in a tempered way. A well-known Las Vegas gambler and bookmaker in the day, Snyder would never mention point spreads, but would predict final scores, stating “the Lions would win 31-21.”

As kids, we would wait to see who he would predict to win, but we never knew the workings behind it.

Cross was the perfect complement for the rest of the cast, and he was among the first to provide a player’s perspective on the games.

Musberger left CBS in 1990 to join ABC and ESPN and was replaced by Greg Gumbel, who passed away in December. Terry Bradshaw began his analyst career on the show in the year.

Pat and Brookie ... Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier both became football broadcast household names for their work together on CBS in the late 60s and throughout the 70s. They were equally effective as Summerall was with Madden.

When they began, both of them had different deliveries that set them apart. Summerall was more direct and subdued as a play-by-play man, while Brookshier was more lively and took a homespun approach. Probably their best underrated work together was hosting the “This Week in Pro Football” and “This is the NFL” shows in the ‘70s. They are all worth watching on YouTube.

Kalas Kalls ... Legendary Phillies’ iconic broadcaster Harry Kalas was a narrator for NFL Films and some highlight shows. Unknown to many, Kalas voiced a PBS film on the Lehigh-Lafayette football rivalry.

He also was the voice on commercials for Coors Light, Campbell’s Chunky Soup, and does anyone remember hearing Kalas in “Alcoa’s Fantastic Football Finishes?”

TD Celebrations Poll ... In a Times News Sports Facebook for the most famous touchdown celebrations, Ickey Woods and his “Ickey Shuffle” took 50 percent of the vote, followed by Billy “White Shoes” Johnson (30 percent), and both Deion Sanders and Elmo Wright (10 percent each).

Reader Donnie Rehrig mentioned “The Dirty Bird,” which was made famous by former Falcon running back Jamal Anderson in the 90s. Anderson played a primary role in leading Atlanta to Super Bowl XXXIII.

Another Classic Game (Toy) ... Anyone remember “Mr. Microphone,” and were you a star?

Unveiled by Ronco — one of the classic companies from the past — Mr. Microphone was ahead of its time.

It was a small AM-radio transmitter encased in a plastic microphone-type case. If you spoke into the mic while a radio was nearby, your voice was on the airwaves and became part of the broadcast.

This item likely launched the careers of future broadcasters and deejays.

WWF-WWE Wrap ... Each week, I’ll recall a former pro wrestler we watched in our youth.

Do you remember the Junkyard Dog?

Known for his “Thump or Powerslam” move, the Junkyard Dog posted an overall 1,485-415 record with 101 draws. He was known for his flamboyant nature, and was a fan favorite with his collar and chains and always entered the ring to the song, “Give Them Cakes.”

He was born Sylvester Ritter in Wadesboro, North Carolina, and was a two-time honorable mention All-American status as an offensive lineman at Fayetteville State University. Ritter was signed by the Oilers as a free agent in 1975 and cut, and then also went through the same process with the Packers a year later.

The Junkyard Dog began wrestling in 1977 in Mid-South Wrestling, and then moved to the World Wrestling Federation in 1984, where he stayed until 1988. He returned to the Mid-South where he was a heavyweight and tag-team champion.

His last match was in 1995, Tragically, three years later in 1998, he was killed in an auto accident at age 45. In 2004, the Junkyard Dog was elected to the WWE Hall of Fame.

Memory Lane ... Each week, I’ll recollect about the career of a former player, coach, manager or media personality.

Do you remember former ESPN broadcaster Dave Campbell? He made his mark at the network from 1990-2010 mainly for his work on “Baseball Tonight.” Nicknamed “Soup,” Campbell also was a TV and radio analyst for “Sunday Night Baseball.” He was a smooth professional whose presentation attracted you.

Some of you may also remember him from his playing days as a backup infielder for the Padres, Tigers, Astros and Cardinals over his eight-year career that spanned over 428 games. I remember Campbell from his Padres’ days from 1970-73 that consumed 328 games.

Campbell, a lifetime .213 hitter, had also voiced the video series MLB: The Show and 989 Sport MLB.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com.