Former ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Patrick has passed away from natural causes at 80 years old, the Daily Caller reported. Patrick's career as an announcer spanned several sports over several decades before his retirement in 2018.
Local authorities confirmed Patrick's death on Tuesday. He is best remembered as the announcer for "Sunday Night Football" on ESPN, where he spent 18 years of his career.
Beginning his stint on the show in 1987, Patrick worked with other greats, including fellow broadcaster Paul Maguire and former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann. Patrick would tell ESPN that he ended his media career satisfied with his life's work.
“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," he said when announcing his retirement.
According to ESPN, Patrick is a graduate of George Washington University, where he served as a commissioned U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant. He began his broadcasting career at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania, in 1966.
Patrick would become the sports director at a Jacksonville, Florida, television network and would become a Hall of Fame sports broadcaster for his coverage of Jacksonville University's basketball team. In 1975, Patrick used that experience in Washington, D.C., where as a weekend anchor and sports reporter for WJLA-TV.
Between 1975 and 1982, Patrick announced play-by-play for Washington and Maryland football and basketball from 1975 to 1978. Notably, Patrick also covered more than two dozen ACC basketball championships and called the NCAA Women's Final Four from the 1996 season to the 2009 season for the network.
However, Patrick would become an icon for his time in the broadcasting booth at SNF and become the iconic voice of the broadcast. The last time Patrick used his talents at ESPN was announcing the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, held on December 30, 2017.
Patrick died on Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia. His death was confirmed by his doctor as well as city officials in his native city of Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Patrick was remembered by some of the greats in broadcasting, including fellow college basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale. "I'm so sorry to learn about the passing of Mike Patrick," Vitale said Tuesday as news of Patrick's passing broke.
"I called him Mr. ACC as he had a great love for doing the big ACC games. Mike had great energy and a keen knowledge of ACC basketball, and I truly enjoyed sitting next to him calling so many special games over the years," Vitale said.
Basketball analyst Jay Bilas took to social media to remember Patrick. "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," Bilas posted to X, formerly Twitter, Tuesday.
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
Patrick was one of the greats in sports broadcasting, as even his colleagues have recognized. His passing is a sad day, but his legacy will live on as others attempt to fill his empty spot in the booth for years to come.
