ESPN Confirms Death Of Longtime NFL Announcer Tuesday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 5:13 PM ET

It was reported on Tuesday that former ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Mike Patrick passed away in Fairfax, Virginia.

Patrick started working as an announcer with ESPN in 1982. His last assignment was the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30, 2017. He was best known as the voice of "Sunday Night Football." After all, he held that responsibility for 18 seasons.

In addition to calling "Sunday Night Football" for ESPN from 1987-2005, he had the privilege of being in the broadcast booth for countless ACC basketball championships and women's NCAA tournaments.

ESPN also relied on Patrick for college football games and the College World Series. He truly did it all for the Worldwide Leader In Sports.

Earlier this Tuesday, ESPN confirmed the sad news that Patrick has died. He reportedly died of natural causes.

"Mike Patrick, who spent 36 years as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and was the network's NFL voice for "Sunday Night Football" for 18 seasons, has died at the age of 80," the network said on Tuesday.

Patrick, who graduated from George Washington University, enjoyed every second of his broadcasting career.

"It's wonderful to reflect on how I've done exactly what I wanted to do with my life," Patrick said in 2018. "At the same time, I've had the great pleasure of working with some of the very best people I've ever known, both on the air and behind the scenes."

Before Patrick's legendary career at ESPN started, he was the play-by-play voice for Jacksonville University's basketball games. He was eventually inducted into the school's Hall of Fame.

Our thoughts are with Patrick's loved ones.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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