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Holly Rowe Heartbroken By Death Of Legendary ESPN Announcer

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 6:10 PM ET

Mike Patrick, a decorated play-by-play announcer who worked 36 years at ESPN, died Sunday at age 80.

ESPN confirmed Tuesday that Patrick died of natural causes in Fairfax, Virginia. Patrick spent 18 years calling Sunday Night Football for ESPN, where he also announced college football, basketball, and baseball.

Holly Rowe worked with Patrick as a college football sideline reporter. The ESPN veteran responded to his passing on social media.

"This is heart breaking," Rowe wrote. "We spent many wonderful days mostly laughing then sprinkled in calling games. Mike Patrick was always an absolute delight."

Patrick started voicing ESPN's NFL games with Joe Theismann in 1987. He announced women's Final Four games from 1996 to 2009 and College World Series games from 2003 to 2014.

Patrick also became synonymous with ACC basketball, calling numerous conference championships along with a stint as Maryland's play-by-play announcer. ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale mourned Patrick's death.

"I was so saddened to just learn of the passing of MIKE PATRICK," Vitale wrote. "loved working with Mike on many fantastic ACC hoop games. I called Mike Mr ACC! My sympathy goes out to his wife Janet."

SportsCenter anchor John Buccigross also paid tribute to Patrick.

"What a beautiful voice Mike Patrick had," Buccigross wrote. "He always sounded so happy to be at the game. This job for me goes back to just being happy to be at the game and sad when it's over. The games are the thing. Games are life. Condolences."

Our thoughts go out to all those grieving Patrick's passing.

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

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