For more than three decades, Scott Paulsen was one of the most well-known radio voices in all of Pittsburgh. His show, Paulsen and Krenn, killed it in the ratings during morning drive on WDVE and became synonymous with early commutes in the Steel City. His talents, both comedically and musically, were off the charts, but one day at a family picnic, he proved he also possessed an eye for talent.
His nephew, Grant Paulsen, was a 9-year-old sports nut that seemingly knew every single stat that existed. Seeing as Scott was a huge public figure in Pittsburgh, he rooted for the Steelers. Grant, however, rooted for Washington. So during the picnic, the two were arguing about a scrimmage that had just taken place between the two teams. It wasn’t an actual preseason game, it was just a scrimmage during training camp, yet, somehow, Grant kept rattling off everything that happened that day. It blew Scott’s mind. It also gave him a brilliant idea.
“I was making fun of the Steelers because Washington won like 9 to 7,” said the younger Paulsen. ”I was rattling off some of the stats and he just thought it was crazy. I now get it as a person that does a radio show, but at that time in his life, he was always thinking about how he could play something up on the air. So he asked me to call in to do football picks on his radio show and called me his 10-year-old sports bookie. I would call in with the betting line and then give my picks.”
It was the late 90’s and the segment was getting very good feedback. A weekly newspaper in the tiny town of King George County, Virginia took notice and wrote a story on it. Once again, the feedback was positive and the King George Journal decided to ask Grant to write a short column every week on sports. Of course, the young sports nut was thrilled for the opportunity. Soon after, it was the local TV station that wanted to do a story on Grant Paulsen. Once again, the response was great and the station wanted him on every Friday at 5:40 to do football picks. It was a stroke of luck, but he was suddenly getting breaks most could only dream of. The thing was, he was getting all the breaks before he was even a teenager. But the biggest one was still yet to come.
The phone rang randomly at the Paulsen household. On the other end was an employee from the Late Show with David Letterman. They had taken notice of what the young sports whiz had been doing and wanted to feature it. Soon after, Grant was making a trip to the set to be on the show. In all, he went to the set in New York City seven times. Six times he actually was on the show. But the most memorable moment was easily the time he was asked by the Late Show to cover Super Bowl 36 in New Orleans. Along with his father and an entire team of joke writers, camera personnel, and others, Paulsen cruised around Media Day at the Super Bowl and delivered funny questions to both players and coaches. You can still find the video on YouTube.
“There were 7 or 8 of us, it was like an entourage,” Paulsen said. “There were some really funny skits. I think people just thought I was some jerk little kid but I was just executing the jokes. It was funny and really a neat thing.”
He had already been on a popular radio show. He was writing for a weekly newspaper and even doing television. Now, he was featured on one of the most popular late-night shows of all time. And it all happened because his uncle saw what an entertaining radio bit he could be.
It’s been a surprise to no one that Paulsen has risen to heights he has in sports media. With a start like that, he was well on his way to stardom at a young age. Today, he’s the co-host of Grant and Danny on 106.7 The Fan in Washington D.C. Recently, the show moved into the afternoon drive spot at the station, one of the most coveted time slots in all of the city.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Paulsen said. “It’s pretty much the same show with a couple of new wrinkles. But it’s been exciting and a really cool thing because the history of our station in that time slot is pretty incredible. As someone who listened to the station growing up, there’s a really rich history with the station. It’s a really humbling experience.”
Seeing as he grew up listening to the station, it really means something to Grant Paulsen that he could be one of the voices that remind people of their own childhood.
“It’s something that I think about a lot, honestly,” Paulsen said. “I don’t take it lightly and it’s a really neat experience for me that means a ton. The station is an institution and if you’re from this area, you rode around and listened to it at some point. Everyone has. It’s a really cool thing going to work every day and knowing that. It’s obviously a different station now, being sports talk, which, works for me, because that’s always been, since I was a kid, my aspirations, but you have a great time slot at a legendary station that you’re trying to uphold. There’s pressure in that. You don’t overthink it, but it’s certainly important. It makes the opportunity that much more exciting.”
As much as he loves doing his daily radio show, there’s a passion for play-by-play that’s unmatched. He’s done it all, from high school state championships to collegiate games to Arena Football League, even an opportunity to be the voice of the DC Defenders of the XFL during the short existence of the league.
“Being the voice of the DC Defenders was one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had, even though it only lasted a few games,” Paulsen said. “And then this year, I was actually in the booth for a couple of games for the Nationals. That was a fill-in opportunity that came at the last second and I was doing color commentary, which I’ve never done before and I’m probably pretty unqualified to do. I just tried to bring an analytical and a talk radio background to it. Play-by-play is my ultimate goal.”
Grant Paulsen wouldn’t mind the Michael Kay lifestyle. He’d love the ability to do his show in the afternoon and lead right into the baseball or football game he was doing that evening. Granted, that’s a heavy workload, but he’s still the kid that wants to be around the game as much as possible.
“I don’t want to get rid of the things that I have, but since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to call games,” Paulsen said. “I’ve loved all the roles I’ve had. I was on the beat for four years in the NFL. I enjoy writing and have done it many years, most recently with The Athletic. I’ve been a TV analyst for the Caps and Wizards, all those things are things I could see myself doing for a long time. If I never get to call games again and I’m doing my daily talk radio show, I’m going to be pretty happy. I enjoy my job. What I told people many years ago is that Mike Tirico had a radio show and he would do games at night on the weekend. That, to me, is a dream scenario.”
Seeing where Grant Paulsen has been, there’s no chance I’d bet against him being the voice of an MLB or NFL team in the future. That’s certainly in the cards. But for now, he’s not taking any opportunity for granted. He’s living his dream and he’s damn good at it.
Tyler McComas is a columnist for BSM and a sports radio talk show host in Norman, OK where he hosts afternoon drive for SportsTalk 1400. You can find him on Twitter @Tyler_McComas or you can email him at TylerMcComas08@yahoo.com.
