WJXT anchor Tom Wills is retiring Friday after 49 years with the station. We reached out to some notable sports figures in Jacksonville and had them give Wills their best.
. During that illustrious career, Wills has covered quite a collection of sporting events, includingRecommended Videos“Well, well. Congratulations, Tom on your ‘early’ retirement. You have always been the consummate professional in a field full of phonys! I remember you getting a big kick out of it, when I Stumped Sam ! The closest thing to a local version of Walter Cronkite I have ever seen!”
File-This photo taken Aug. 29, 2019, shows Tom Coughlin, executive vice president of football operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars watching players warm up before an NFL preseason football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Owner Shad Khan has a decision to make about the Jaguars , who are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the 11th time in the last 12 years.
“I salute Tom Wills for 49 years of faithful service to WJXT and the Jacksonville community. Tom was already a local fixture well before the day in 1993 when he reported that Jacksonville had been awarded an NFL franchise, and I remember him being on duty when I arrived here in late 2011. After nearly five decades, Tom has more than earned a happy and healthy retirement. Congratulations, Tom!”
Longtime WJXT sports director Sam Kouvarius speaks during a retirement celebration for anchor Tom Wills.“When I first came there in 1981, Tom, he set the standard, not only the standard for professionalism and how to be a journalist, but how to act with your fellow employees. In order for the newsroom to function at the effort and high level we did it at, you always got the feeling you were a part of a team.
“Tom Wills is a trusted newsman and a stand-up guy. Tom has been a witness to some of the Jaguars most exciting times including the day we were awarded the team. We’ve admired him for many years, and he leaves a lasting legacy on Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Congratulations on your retirement, Tom.”
Tom Wills Our Newsman Shad Khan Tom Coughlin Wayne Weaver Delores Barr Weaver Peter Bragan Sam Kouvaris Tom Retires Our Newsman
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