Longtime Alabama football announcer to break 409-game streak after positive COVID-19 test

Longtime radio broadcaster Eli Gold, who has been the announcer for the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide for over three decades, will not call the team’s game this weekend after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Gold’s absence will break his 409-game streak announcing for the team, according to ESPN.  

Gold, 66, announced Thursday during coach Nick Saban’s weekly radio show that he and his wife tested positive for the virus, according to ESPN.

He made his statement on Saban’s show from a remote location, as he and his wife remain in quarantine through the duration of their infections.

Saban, 69, also recently recovered from the coronavirus after he was diagnosed two days before Thanksgiving, prompting him to miss Alabama’s game against Auburn and watch it from home.

The coach’s infection forced him to miss his first game since he was a 22-year-old graduate assistant at Kent state following his father’s death.

Gold also works alongside color analyst John Parker Wilson and sideline reporter Rashad Johnson, USA Today reported.

Alabama is slated to play the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday at 11 a.m. local time.