Philadelphia sports have been blessed with some excellent voices narrating their games over the years. From in-stadium/arena legends like Dan Baker of the Phillies (and Drexel men’s basketball!), Lou Nolan of the Flyers, or Matt Cord of the Sixers to the voices we’ve heard on the radio or TV for years like Harry Kalas or Tom McGinnis or Jim Jackson or Marc Zumoff or … well, you get the point.
One name notably missing from the previous paragraph is Merrill Reese. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Thursday that the “Voice of the Eagles” has been chosen as the 2024 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award winner.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that the longtime radio voice of the #Eagles, Merrill Reese, has been chosen to receive its 2024 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) June 13, 2024
Per the Hall of Fame’s press release:
“Each year, the Hall of Fame recognizes an individual who has dedicated their career to improving radio and television in professional football, and this year’s recipient, Merrill Reese, represents exactly what we look for when we talk about who’s made a big impact in broadcasting,” said Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “For nearly a half century, fans tuning into Eagles games, including opposing fans, have had the privilege of hearing Merrill’s legendary voice.”
When the Eagles and Green Bay Packers kickoff their 2024-25 season in September, Reese will begin his 48th straight season behind the mic for Philadelphia. After the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2018, Reese was the voice that thousands of Birds fans heard as Tom Brady’s final pass hit the turf.
A native of Philadelphia, Reese has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his lengthy career, including Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year, Lindsey Nelson Award for Excellence in Sportscasting, Philadelphia’s Best Sportscaster by Philadelphia Magazine and induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Temple University Communications Hall of Fame and Overbrook High School Hall of Fame.
Past winners of this award are a “who’s who” of football voices: John Facenda, Joe Buck, Al Michaels, Jim Nantz, Chris Berman, John Madden, Pat Summerall, and many others.
Reese will be honored during the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week that includes the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner in downtown Canton on Friday, Aug. 2, and the Class of 2024 Enshrinement on Saturday, Aug. 3, in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
