Apr 22, 2025
Mike Patrick, Longtime ESPN Announcer and ‘Sunday Night Football‘ Voice, Dies at 80
Mike Patrick, a veteran play-by-play commentator who served as the voice of ESPN’s ”sunday Night Football” for 18 seasons, has died. He was 80.
Patrick, who began his 36-year run with ESPN in 1982, died of natural causes Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia.News of his death was confirmed Tuesday. His final broadcast was the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30, 2017.
Mike Patrick called some of college basketball’s biggest games during his 36 years with ESPN. He called more than 30 ACC championships, working alongside Dick Vitale, and anchored Women’s Final Four coverage from 1996 to 2009.
ESPN Images
A Storied Career at ESPN
From 1987 to 2005, Patrick was the play-by-play announcer for ”Sunday Night Football,” becoming a familiar voice to NFL fans nationwide. He also played a significant role in ESPN’s coverage of college football and basketball, calling over 30 ACC basketball championships and anchoring the network’s Women’s Final Four coverage from 1996 to 2009.
In 1987, Patrick announced ESPN’s first regular-season NFL game, alongside former NFL quarterback Joe theismann and, later, Paul Maguire.
In addition to “Sunday Night Football,” Patrick was the voice for ESPN’s “Thursday Night Football” and “Saturday Night football” college games, as well as the network’s coverage of the College World Series.
early Career and Reflections
Before joining ESPN, Patrick began his broadcasting career in 1966 at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania.In 1970,he became sports director at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville,Florida,providing play-by-play commentary for the Jacksonville sharks of the World Football League (1973-74). He also announced Jacksonville University basketball games on radio and television and was later inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame.
In 1975, patrick moved to WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., as a sports reporter and weekend anchor. While there, he also called play-by-play for Maryland football and basketball games (1975-78) and NFL preseason games for Washington (1975-1982).
Patrick graduated from George Washington University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
“It’s splendid to reflect on how I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” Patrick said upon his departure from ESPN 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.”
When did Mike Patrick begin his broadcasting career, and at what station?
mike Patrick, Longtime ESPN announcer and ‘Sunday night Football’ Voice, Dies at 80
Mike Patrick, a veteran play-by-play commentator who served as the voice of ESPN’s ”sunday Night Football” for 18 seasons, has died. He was 80.
Patrick, who began his 36-year run with ESPN in 1982, died of natural causes Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia.News of his death was confirmed Tuesday. His final broadcast was the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30, 2017.
Mike Patrick called some of college basketball’s biggest games during his 36 years with ESPN. He called more than 30 ACC championships, working alongside Dick Vitale, and anchored Women’s final Four coverage from 1996 to 2009.
ESPN Images
A storied Career at ESPN
From 1987 to 2005, patrick was the play-by-play announcer for ”Sunday Night Football,” becoming a familiar voice to NFL fans nationwide. He also played a critically important role in ESPN’s coverage of college football and basketball, calling over 30 ACC basketball championships and anchoring the network’s Women’s Final Four coverage from 1996 to 2009.
In 1987, Patrick announced ESPN’s first regular-season NFL game, alongside former NFL quarterback Joe theismann and, later, Paul Maguire.
In addition to “Sunday Night Football,” Patrick was the voice for ESPN’s “thursday Night Football” and “Saturday Night football” college games, as well as the network’s coverage of the College World Series.
early Career and Reflections
Before joining ESPN, patrick began his broadcasting career in 1966 at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania.in 1970,he became sports director at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville,Florida,providing play-by-play commentary for the Jacksonville sharks of the World Football League (1973-74). He also announced Jacksonville University basketball games on radio and television and was later inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame.
In 1975, patrick moved to WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., as a sports reporter and weekend anchor. While there, he also called play-by-play for Maryland football and basketball games (1975-78) and NFL preseason games for Washington (1975-1982).
Patrick graduated from George Washington University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
“It’s splendid to reflect on how I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” Patrick said upon his departure from ESPN in 2018. ”At the same time, I’ve had the grate pleasure of working with some of the very best people I’ve ever known, both on the air and behind the scenes.”
Q&A: Remembering Mike Patrick
Q: When did Mike Patrick’s career with ESPN begin and end?
A: Patrick joined ESPN in 1982 and retired in 2018, after a 36-year career with the network.
Q: What was Mike Patrick’s primary role at ESPN?
A: He was the play-by-play announcer, most notably for “Sunday Night Football” from 1987 to 2005. He also did work for college football and basketball.
Q: Besides “Sunday Night Football,” what other sports did Patrick cover?
A: Patrick was the voice for “Thursday Night Football,” “Saturday Night Football” college games,and the College World Series.
Q: Where did Mike Patrick begin his broadcasting career?
A: He started at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania, in 1966.
Q: What other notable roles did he have before joining ESPN?
A: He was sports director at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida; play-by-play for the Jacksonville Sharks of the World Football League; and called games for Jacksonville University and the University of Maryland.
Q: What was one of the unique aspects of Patrick’s career?
A: He called ESPN’s first regular-season NFL game alongside Joe Theismann in 1987, a landmark moment for the network’s sports coverage.
Q: What is his legacy?
A: Mike Patrick is remembered as one of the most versatile and respected voices in sports broadcasting,celebrated for his long tenure,notably with ESPN,and his contributions to both professional and college sports.His voice was the soundtrack to many memorable moments in sports history.
Mike Patrick’s impact on sports broadcasting is undeniable. His voice will be missed, but his legacy lives on.
