Total Pro Sports
It has been a really sad last weekend at ESPN.
Mike Patrick, a longtime ESPN announcer and one of the founding members of the network’s play-by-play coverage, reportedly passed away at the age of 80.
He reportedly died of natural causes on a Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia, and his hometown of Clarksburg, West Virginia, confirmed the news on Tuesday.
His service to ESPN and ABC lasted over 30 years. During his tenure, he became the voice of ‘Sunday Night Football’ for nearly two decades from 1987 to 2005.
Additionally, he covered numerous college football and basketball games.
“Was passed along the very sad news from former broadcasting colleague Kevin Kiley that Mike Patrick passed away on Easter Sunday. 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,” John Antonik of WVU Athletics tweeted.
Longtime broadcaster Mike Patrick, who spent 36 years as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and was the NFL voice for "Sunday Night Football" for 18 seasons, has died of natural causes at the age of 80. pic.twitter.com/4tg9CDfMNK
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 22, 2025
Over his distinguished career, Patrick called over 30 ACC basketball championships. However, he was especially known for his work narrating the Women’s Final Four broadcasts from 1996 to 2009.
Soon after the news of his passing surfaced on social media, people from around the sports world mourned the loss.
“Mike was superb calling college football and basketball, excelled on some of the absolute biggest games of the 2000s. RIP,” Michael DeCourcy of Sporting News tweeted.
Mike was superb calling college football and basketball, excelled on some of the absolute biggest games of the 2000s. RIP. https://t.co/ZcrIgbpnNe
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) April 22, 2025
“Man, always loved listening to Mike Patrick,” a fan wrote.
Man, always loved listening to Mike Patrick https://t.co/sKyn05ckGt
— Matty Hess (@mhess311) April 22, 2025
“Man Mike was so good. RIP,” another one wrote.
Man Mike was so good. RIP 🙏 https://t.co/GRDgxqu7lL
— RockwallCat (@RockwallCat) April 22, 2025
After his passing, Patrick’s final statement on his career in 2018 now sounds more touching. He had acknowledged the satisfaction he found in his work and the pleasure of collaborating with esteemed colleagues.
The sports world mourns the loss of a beloved voice and a legend in broadcasting.
Mike Patrick began his broadcasting career in 1966 at the radio station WVSC in Somerset, Pennsylvania. In 1970, he transitioned to WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as the sports director.
He then called games for the Jacksonville Sharks in the World Football League and basketball for Jacksonville University.
In 1975, Patrick moved to Washington, D.C., taking a position as a reporter and weekend...
