Mike Patrick, a veteran sports broadcaster with a career spanning over 36 years at ESPN, has died of natural causes. He was 80 years old at the time of his passing.

The confirmation of his death came from both Patrick’s physician and officials from Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he lived.

A Storied Broadcasting Career

Patrick began his broadcasting journey in 1966 with WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania. His impressive career trajectory led him to positions such as sports director at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville and a sports reporter at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., where he covered Maryland football and basketball.

In 1982, he joined ESPN, where he carved a niche as one of the foremost voices in sports. He became particularly well-known as the play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s “Sunday Night Football,” a role he occupied for 18 consecutive years beginning in 1987.

Memorable Highlights

Throughout his tenure at ESPN, Patrick’s versatility shone as he provided commentary for various sports, including:

• College Football: He served as a voice for “Thursday Night Football” and “Saturday Night Football.”
• College Basketball: Patrick became synonymous with ESPN’s Women’s Final Four coverage from 1996 to 2009.

His ability to connect with audiences made him a beloved figure among sports fans and athletes alike.

Personal Reflections and Tributes

Upon retiring in 2018, Patrick reflected on his career with gratitude: “It’s wonderful to reflect on how I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do with my life. 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 passing has evoked a wave of tributes from colleagues and fans. Dr. Jerry Lee Punch, a fellow ESPN broadcaster, expressed his admiration, stating, “Mike Patrick could do it all… His preparation, his delivery, his voice inflections & his amazing dry humor made him the GOAT in my book.”

Legacy

Patrick’s legacy in sports broadcasting is marked not only by his significant contributions to ESPN but also by the impact he made on the industry as a whole. His voice became a defining sound of sports for many generations, and he will be remembered fondly by those who grew up listening to his play-by-play commentary.