Lindsey Nelson (May 25, 1919 – June 10, 1995) was an American sportscaster best known for his long career calling play-by-play of college football and New York Mets baseball.

[3] He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1941, taught English, and then served in the U.S. Army,[1] where he was a captain in North Africa and Europe during World War II.

He also served as a war correspondent and public relations specialist, and played on an Army baseball team managed by Harry Walker.

Affectionately known as "Mr. New Year's Day," Nelson subsequently did the play-by-play of the Cotton Bowl Classic for 26 seasons on CBS television, where he earned widespread recognition for his Tennessee drawl and signature opening greeting: "Happy New Year; this is Lindsey Nelson in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas."

[4]) For 14 years Nelson was the syndicated television voice of Notre Dame football, and he also called the Mutual Broadcasting System's Monday night radio broadcasts of NFL games from 1974 to 1977, in addition to NFL games for CBS television for many years.

In 1962, he was hired as the lead broadcaster by the expansion New York Mets, and for the next 17 seasons did both radio and television with Ralph Kiner and Bob Murphy.

[5] When Chicago White Sox pitcher and former Mets ace Tom Seaver went for his 300th victory in August 1985 against the host New York Yankees, the Yankees TV flagship station WPIX had Nelson call the final half-inning of Seaver's history-making win.

The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team's home field was named Lindsey Nelson Stadium after him.

Nelson's television fashion sense was an inspiration for Jim Brockmire, the title character played by Hank Azaria in the IFC series.