BRISTOL. Conn. (AP) — Mike Patrick, ESPN’s first play-by-play announcer for its NFL coverage, has died. He was 80. Patrick’s physician and longtime friend sent a text to friends of the longtime announcer that Patrick passed away in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sunday due to natural causes.

Mike Patrick, the long-time play-by-play announcer for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, has died. He was 80. A native of Clarksburg, West Virginia, Patrick handled the NFL Sunday night game for 18 years,

He had the honor of calling the network’s first-ever regular-season NFL game in 1987, a matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, he launched ESPN’s Sunday Night Football’s 18-year run.