DALLAS — What better way for Dale Hansen to go into retirement than with a day dedicated to him!
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has proclaimed Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, as "Dale Hansen Day" ahead of the beloved sports broadcaster's final show.
After spending 38 years at WFAA, Hansen will be giving his final remarks during Thursday's 10 p.m. newscast.
Chief Meteorologist Pete Delkus presented Hansen with the mayor's proclamation during Wednesday's 10 p.m. newscast.
Read the text of the proclamation below:
WHEREAS, Dale Hansen was born in Logan, Iowa, and came to Dallas in 1980; He worked at KDFW-TV prior to joining the WFAA-TV family in 1983; Over the next 38 years, he made a name for himself and has left a lasting legacy for his humorous, blunt, boisterous, and in-depth reports and commentary on Dallas-area sports and culture; and
WHEREAS, Just a few months after joining Channel 8, the station debuted “Dale Hansen’s Sports Special,” a show that has been part of the WFAA lineup ever since; and
WHEREAS, Hansen gained national recognition after his groundbreaking investigative work focusing on problems with Southern Methodist University’s football program in 1986; His reporting earned him the two most distinguished honors in broadcast journalism: the George Foster Peabody Award for Distinguished Journalism and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award; and
WHEREAS, Hansen has covered local teams in three Stanley Cup Finals, three Super Bowls, two World Series, and two NBA Finals during his tenure with WFAA; He is recognized as the dean of Texas sportscasters, a testament to his talent, his ability to adapt, and his dedication to WFAA; and
WHEREAS, Hansen has been featured in national media, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Ellen DeGeneres Show; and
WHEREAS, From his start with WFAA on March 28, 1983, to his retirement on September 2, 2021, Hansen’s career has been marked by award-winning exposés, powerful investigations, and years of reliable sports news broadcasting; Families in Dallas will sorely miss seeing him on screen and will cherish his legacy with WFAA.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ERIC JOHNSON, Mayor of the City of Dallas, do hereby proclaim Thursday, September 2, 2021, as
DALE HANSEN DAY
in the City of Dallas, Texas.