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Legendary ESPN Announcer Died At 80 On Sunday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 3:27 PM ET

A legendary ESPN college basketball and football announcer reportedly passed away this weekend.

Mike Patrick, who was the voice of ESPN's Sunday Night Football NFL broadcasts for nearly two decades in addition to his work calling college games, died on Sunday at the age of 80. Patrick had retired from broadcasting in February 2018 after 35 years at the Worldwide Leader.

"Was passed along the very sad news from former broadcasting colleague Kevin Kiley that Mike Patrick passed away on Easter Sunday," said John Antonik, the director of content for West Virginia University athletics. "Although Mike didn't attend WVU, he was an unapologetic Mountaineer supporter and one of the great broadcasters to ever call college and pro sports."

A native of West Virginia and George Washington University alum, Patrick began his broadcasting career on the radio at WVSC-Radio in Pennsylvania in 1966. He later moved on to the radio in Jacksonville before getting his break as a sports reporter at WJLA-TV from 1975-82.

Patrick was hired by ESPN in 1982 and also called ACC basketball and football games for Jefferson Pilot Sports in 1984 and 1985.

Over the years, he became best known for being on the call for ESPN's Thursday night college football primetime game from 1991-97 and as the voice of Sunday Night Football from 1987-2005.

Patrick became the lead play-by-play voice for ESPN's College Football Primetime Saturday broadcasts beginning in 2006. He also was a recognizable college basketball voice on the network over the years, particularly when on the call for ACC games.

Additionally, Patrick called the women's NCAA Tournament and College World Series for more than a decade each for ESPN. Patrick's final appearance for the network was during a Duke-Louisville game at Cameron Indoor Stadium in February 2018.

"It's wonderful to reflect on how I've done exactly what I wanted to do with my life," Patrick said at the time. "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. While I'm not sure exactly what's next for me, I'm looking forward to continuing my journey with new life experiences."

Our thoughts and prayers are with Patrick's family and friends.

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

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