Once a public relations specialist for Sugar Ray Leonard who has called the fights of Washington, D.C.-based former titleholders Riddick Bowe and Simon Brown, Charlie Brotman is a Washington, D.C., sports legend.

Since Dwight D. Eisenhower’s second term in 1957, Brotman, who turned 85 in December, has been The Presidents’ announcer for the Inauguration Parade. On Jan. 21, Brotman, a native of Washington, D.C., will perform that duty for his 15th Inaugural Parade and for the 10th president.

It will, of course, be the second straight time that he will officiate the proceedings for President Barack Obama, doing so from a position perched directly across the street from where Obama will be sworn in, as he describes every float, band and display that passes.

In fact, Brotman’s position on Lafayette Park is directly across from The White House and the President’s Reviewing Stand, where the President and first family, along with Vice President and his family as well as other VIPs and friends view the parade.

The swearing-in ceremony takes place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, and it is nearby where the Parade starts.

Brotman is also a regular at the George Mason University’s Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., whenever local fighter Jimmy Lange is in action. Brotman can be announcing from ringside at Lange’s fights.

Brotman also handled public relations for the expansion Washington Senators baseball franchises from the mid-1950’s through 1971, called Washington, D.C.-area golf such as the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Mazda LPGA Championship, Kemper Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as tennis events like The Virginia Slims of Washington and the men’s ATP Tour.

Photos courtesy of Charlie Brotman

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]