re: Eli Gold Update

Alabama football radio voice Eli Gold updates status (Tuscaloosa News)

The Alabama football pre-game radio broadcast on the Crimson Tide Sports Network had a special guest before the Texas game: Eli Gold.

Gold spoke publicly for the first time since it was announced in August that he would not be in the radio booth to start the season because of health issues. He joined Chris Stewart, who has been filling in for him, before No. 1 Alabama (1-0) faced No. 22 Texas (1-0) on Saturday (11 a.m., FOX).

Gold, who has served as the radio voice of the Crimson Tide since 1988, said he will return at some point.

"It’s going to take a little while," Gold said. "I’m not going to be back next week. I’m not going to be back the week after. But I will be back. It’s just a matter of getting my act together."

Gold stressed that he is not sick. He's dealing with "orthopedic issues."

"A lot of folks who have seen me at baseball games, football games, whatever, know I have had trouble getting around for the last couple of years," Gold said. "It was time to get that taken care of. It’s gone a little too long. I’m doing well."

Gold said his progress is going fine. He has lost weight, and with less weight to carry around, Gold has less stress on his legs.

"It’s not the way you want to lose 100 pounds but it had to be done," Gold said. "But I’m doing well in that regard."