Longtime ESPN broadcaster dies at 80
Mike Patrick, a longtime ESPN broadcaster who handled play-by-play duties during the network's first season televising NFL games, has died. He was 80.
Mike Patrick not only was our first NFL voice, he was top voice on college hoops and college football for years and when the women’s final four moved to ESPN in 1996 Mike had the assignment. He went on to call 5 of Geno’s titles and 5 of Pat’s. He was a pleasure to work with.
— Mike Soltys (@MichaelJSoltys) April 22, 2025
Patrick was the voice of ESPN's "Sunday Night Football" from 1987 to 2005 and played a major role in the network's broadcasts of college football and basketball.
RIP Mike Patrick 🙏🏻🕯️
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) April 22, 2025
A big-game play-by-play voice for ESPN and ABC, renowned for his NFL and college sports work
Here is Mike on the regular season debut of "ESPN Sunday Night NFL" — the first NFL regular season game ever aired on cable television.pic.twitter.com/16BGJ6dgj1
According to the network, Patrick died of natural causes on Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia.
15 years ago today, Mike Patrick is worried about Britney Spears, seconds before Georgia beats Alabama in overtime. Todd Blackledge is baffled. pic.twitter.com/bdUsbGFfgr
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) September 22, 2022
"One of my favorite announcers," baseball broadcaster Mike Ferrin wrote on Twitter/X. "Always knew it was a big game if Mike Patrick was on the call. A true legend."
One of my favorite announcers. Always knew it was a big game if Mike Patrick was on the call. A true legend https://t.co/vGocFTOv0m
— Mike Ferrin (@Mike_Ferrin) April 22, 2025
"This is heart breaking," veteran ESPN reporter Holly Rowe wrote on Twitter/X. "We spent many wonderful days mostly laughing then sprinkled in calling games. Mike Patrick was always an absolute delight."
This is heart breaking. We spent many wonderful days mostly laughing then sprinkled in calling games. Mike Patrick was always an absolute delight. ❤️ https://t.co/ygOELGc6C2
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) April 22, 2025
"I learned so much from this man," veteran motorsports broadcaster Dr. Jerry Punch wrote on Twitter/X. "Mike Patrick could do it all. His preparation, his delivery, his voice inflections & his amazing dry humor made him the GOAT in my book. I was so honored to work w him, & so blessed to call him a dear friend. RIP Mike, u earned it."
I learned so much from this man. Mike Patrick could do it all. His preparation, his delivery, his voice inflections & his amazing dry humor made him the GOAT in my book. I was so honored to work @ESPNCFB w him, & so blessed to call him a dear friend. RIP Mike, u earned it pic.twitter.com/szOAFW6ccR
— Dr. Jerry Lee Punch (@DocPunchESPN) April 22, 2025
"I was so saddened to just learn of the passing of MIKE PATRICK - loved working with Mike on many fantastic hoop games," longtime ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale wrote on Twitter/X. "I called Mike Mr ACC ! My sympathy goes out to his wife Janet."
I was so saddened to just learn of the passing of MIKE PATRICK - loved working with Mike on many fantastic @theACC hoop games . I called Mike Mr ACC ! My sympathy goes out to his wife Janet . @espn @jksports - via @ESPN App https://t.co/NuRViTxlKw
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 22, 2025
More to come on this story.
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