Mike Patrick, Veteran ESPN Broadcaster and Voice of Sunday Night Football, Dies at 80
Mike Patrick, one of the most iconic voices in American sports broadcasting and a foundational figure at ESPN, has died at the age of 80. He passed away peacefully on Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia, due to natural causes, according to his physician and longtime friend.
A voice that echoed through living rooms for decades, Mike Patrick helped define the way fans experienced everything from NFL Sunday Night Football to ACC basketball, leaving behind a towering legacy in sports media.
Who Was Mike Patrick?
Born in 1944 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Mike Patrick grew up in the Chestnut Hills neighborhood. His journey to the mic began almost by accident during his time at George Washington University, where he discovered his calling after seeing a flyer for a student-run radio station.
“I had no idea what I was going to do, but I did the show from 4 to 5 that day,” Patrick once recalled. “And I was hooked.”
That impromptu broadcast set the stage for a career that would span more than five decades.
Mike Patrick’s Career at ESPN
Patrick joined ESPN in 1982, just three years after the network launched. As ESPN grew into a sports broadcasting titan, Patrick became one of its most enduring and respected voices.
Sunday Night Football (1987–2006)
Perhaps his most iconic role was as the lead play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s Sunday Night Football for nearly 20 years. Working alongside Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, and Roy Firestone, Patrick became the weekly voice of primetime NFL action during the fall.
“Mike Patrick called countless significant events over decades at ESPN and is one of the most influential on-air voices in our history,” said ESPN’s President of Content, Burke Magnus.
Beyond Football: ACC Basketball and More
Patrick was more than just a football guy. He was “Mr. ACC”, a nickname fondly given by colleague Dick Vitale for his long-standing dedication to ACC basketball, where he called over 30 conference championships and was the voice of the Women’s Final Four from 1996 to 2009.
He also lent his voice to:
- College Football Saturday Primetime
- NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships
- College World Series (2003–2014)
Whether it was a packed stadium on a Saturday night or a buzzer-beater in a college arena, Patrick brought each moment to life with authenticity, insight, and calm excitement.
Retirement and Final Broadcast
Mike Patrick’s final game was the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, and he retired officially from ESPN in 2018, capping off a broadcasting career that spanned more than 35 years at the network.
A Humble Beginning, A Lasting Legacy
From local reporting stints in Jacksonville and Washington, D.C., to the national stage at ESPN, Patrick’s rise was a testament to talent, work ethic, and passion. Despite his success, he remained humble and grounded, returning often to his hometown, where Clarksburg honored him with a commemorative sign on the Second Street Parking Garage ramp.
“Mike Patrick’s voice may have fallen silent, but his legacy as one of America’s greatest sportscasters and a proud son of Clarksburg will endure,” city officials wrote.
Remembering the Man Behind the Mic
Mike Patrick’s deep voice wasn’t just distinctive—it was trusted. Whether narrating a game-winning touchdown or a last-second three-pointer, he delivered with clarity and grace. More than just a broadcaster, he was a mentor, colleague, and friend to many in the industry.
“It’s wonderful to reflect on how I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” Patrick once said. “And I’ve had the great pleasure of working with some of the very best people I’ve ever known.”
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