Mike Patrick, a veteran ESPN play-by-play announcer whose voice became synonymous with primetime sports broadcasts for decades, has died at the age of 80.
His death, attributed to natural causes, occurred Sunday and was confirmed Tuesday by both the City of Clarksburg, West Virginia and his physician.
Patrick’s broadcasting career with ESPN spanned 36 years, beginning in 1982.
ESPN remembers play-by-play commentator Mike Patrick
Patrick served as a voice on the network for 36 years (1982-2018) & called some of the most significant events in ESPN’s history
More on Patrick: https://t.co/Pr8SY56Xuq pic.twitter.com/J8b91qXTRY
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) April 22, 2025
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He became a household name when he was appointed as the lead announcer for Sunday Night Football in 1987, a role he held for 18 years until 2005.
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During his time in the SNF booth, Patrick worked alongside former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann and later sportscaster Paul Maguire.
In addition to his professional football coverage, Patrick was widely recognized for his contributions to college sports broadcasting.
He called numerous high-profile college football matchups for ESPN’s Thursday Night Football and Saturday Night Football programs.
His voice was a familiar presence for fans throughout the fall sports seasons for years.
Patrick also had a prominent role in college basketball, most notably covering the NCAA Women’s Final Four.
Beginning in 1996, Patrick served as the play-by-play announcer for the women’s basketball championship series on ESPN, continuing through 2009.
His consistent coverage contributed to the growth and visibility of the women’s tournament on national television.
Patrick officially retired in 2018, capping off a distinguished broadcasting career that left a lasting impression across multiple generations of sports fans.
“It’s wonderful to reflect on how I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” Patrick said upon announcing his retirement.
“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.”
Patrick’s impact on sports broadcasting was marked not only by his longevity but also by his versatility, as he seamlessly covered NFL, college football, and college basketball over the course of more than three decades.
His work helped shape ESPN’s rise as a dominant force in sports media during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
The City of Clarksburg, where Patrick had ties, paid tribute to him in a public statement, reflecting on his national legacy and local roots.
No additional details have been released regarding funeral arrangements or memorial services at this time.
Patrick is survived by his family, friends, and a generation of colleagues and fans who recognized him as one of the defining voices in American sports broadcasting.
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