Longtime ESPN Broadcaster Mike Patrick Has Passed Away at 80
Mike Patrick, the longtime ESPN broadcaster who, for a generation of fans, will always be synonymous with Sunday Night Football, has passed away at the age of 80.
Born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Patrick graduated from George Washington University in 1966 with a degree in speech and quickly began his broadcasting career.
Photo: Yahoo
After stints at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania, WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, and WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., Patrick joined ESPN in 1982 and quickly became the backbone of the network’s broadcasting teams.
‘Sunday Night Football’ and Mr. ACC
From 1987 through 2005, Patrick anchored ESPN’s NFL broadcasts and was the voice of Sunday Night Football for decades.
Photo: ESPN
In addition to his work with the NFL, Patrick was the voice of ACC basketball. Due to his familiarity and knowledge about the conference, the broadcaster as dubbed “Mr. ACC” by his longtime colleague Dick Vitale.
After the 2017 Liberty Bowl, Patrick retired from broadcasting.
Photo: ESPN
“It’s wonderful to reflect on how I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” he said at the time.
ESPN Pays Tribute to Patrick
After news of Patrick’s passing spread, ESPN quickly paid tribute to their longtime star.
“Mike Patrick called countless significant events over decades at ESPN and is one of the most influential on-air voices in our history. In addition to calling ESPN’s first-ever regular season NFL game and voicing the ‘Sunday Night Football’ franchise for 18 seasons, Mike’s work on college sports was exceptional,” said Burke Magnus, president of content for ESPN.
Photo: NY Post
“For 36 years, he called football and men’s and women’s basketball, including the Women’s Final Four and so many historic matchups between ACC rivals Duke and UNC. Our deepest condolences to Mike’s family and his many friends throughout the industry.”
Taking to X, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas also fondly remembered his longtime colleague.
So sorry to learn of the passing of the great Mike Patrick. Mike was the voice of ACC Basketball when I was a player, and I had the honor of working with him and calling him a friend. Mike Patrick was a pro’s pro. RIP Mike Patrick. pic.twitter.com/AGkzs07StY
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 22, 2025
“So sorry to learn of the passing of the great Mike Patrick,” he wrote. “Mike was the voice of ACC Basketball when I was a player, and I had the honor of working with him and calling him a friend. Mike Patrick was a pro’s pro. RIP Mike Patrick.”
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