media dubbed this the new "Battle of the Brians," as NBC's Williams compared his own modest set to CTV's expensive Olympic studio. Williams anchored CTV's coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He criticized the International Olympic Committee for not properly honouring the Israeli delegates who were slain during the 1972 Summer Olympics. He continues to appear, as of 2019, as a contributor to CFL on TSN, as host of TSN's coverage of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, and as host of figure skating coverage on both networks and also contributes content to TSN Radio. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Radio Until 2019, Williams co-hosted Don Cherry's Grapeline on Sportsnet Radio, along with Don Cherry, for thirty-five years, first on CFRB radio in Toronto, and then as a syndicated show on Sportsnet. Retirement Brian Williams announced his retirement from broadcasting on 2 December 2021 after a 50 year career. Quirks His unique voice and quirks such as frequently announcing the time, sometimes in several different time zones at once, has made him one of Canada's most distinctive broadcasters. He is a frequent subject of parody on Canadian comedy shows such as Royal Canadian Air Farce. Honours In 2011, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada "for his contributions to sports broadcasting, notably that of amateur sports, and for his community involvement". Commonwealth honours Commonwealth honours He received his Order of Canada Insignia during an Investiture at Rideau Hall from Governor General David Johnston on 25 May 2012. Scholastic Honorary degrees References External links Multimedia CBC archives - Williams hosting the opening of SkyDome in Toronto. Grapeline archives - Williams co-hosts Grapeline with Don Cherry. Websites TSN profile Speakers' Spotlight: Brian Williams CTV PR: "Going For Gold. Brian Williams To Join CTV, TSN" TSN PR (June 9): "Brian Williams Makes CTV/TSN Debut June 16 During CFL Season Opener" Canadian Communications Foundation profile 1946 births Living people Aquinas College (Michigan) alumni Canadian soccer commentators Canadian expatriates in the United States Canadian Football League announcers Canadian horse racing announcers Canadian radio sportscasters Canadian schoolteachers Canadian television sportscasters CBC Television people Journalists from Manitoba Journalists from Toronto Major League Baseball broadcasters National Hockey League broadcasters Officers of the Order of Canada Olympic Games broadcasters People from the Regional District of East Kootenay Sportspeople from Edmonton Sportspeople from Grand Rapids, Michigan Sportspeople