Former New York Giants kicker, renowned sports broadcaster, and an associate of Donald Trump, Pat Summerall, found a path away from alcoholism thanks to the tough love of his daughter, Susie Wills. She discussed this during a recent episode of “Pod Force One” alongside columnist Miranda Devine.
Summerall, who passed away in 2013, entered rehab in April 1992, shortly after he covered the Masters Golf Tournament for CBS Sports.
“When my mother recognized that he needed professional help, she had each child write a letter. He didn’t actually read mine until he was in the Betty Ford Clinic,” she recalled.
“He remarked that he didn’t know if it held significance for him, but it was enough to make him think,” Wills shared further.
Known as “Ice Maiden” by Trump, she revealed some of the more poignant sentiments from her letter.
“I occasionally expressed my reluctance to share his name. I can’t recall the exact wording, but it seemed to resonate with him,” she stated.
She also reflected on a time when Summerall was drunk and didn’t recognize his granddaughter.
Wills remembered how her father would take her to work, adding, “I spent so much time in broadcast booths, covering various sports. Back then, I doubt many daughters had such opportunities.”
In his rehabilitation and autobiography, Summerall emphasized how his faith replaced his craving for alcohol: “At the Betty Ford Treatment Center, I started reading the Bible regularly, which has since become part of my daily routine.”
After CBS lost rights to the National Football Conference games to Fox in 1994, Summerall and his longtime partner John Madden transitioned, together calling three more Super Bowls.
Across his career, Summerall had a hand in the coverage of 16 Super Bowls on CBS, Fox, and NBC, more than any other broadcaster.
Wills noted, “He was aware of the success he had, which allowed him to grow and not feel overshadowed by anyone else.” She described her father as an aspiring, kind, and clever person.
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Wills characterized her late father as a “perpetual learner” who was pivotal in shaping his media career.
“Now, with information so easily accessible online, there’s a different learning curve. My father had to study hard and keep up,” she emphasized, highlighting how he paved the way in modern broadcasting alongside John Madden during his 25-year career.
Unfortunately, his career was seriously impacted by his addiction, which he referred to as “a disease that clouds your judgment.”
“If you’re smart, you might think you can outsmart addiction, but it only gets tougher until you realize you need help,” she recognized, noting that when he completed treatment, he felt no temptation.
Despite her father’s battles, Wills reflected on how he never withheld opportunities from her and mentioned, “I didn’t realize how uncommon that was back then; looking back, it seems I grew up in a gender-blind household where merit was all that mattered.”
