Longtime New England Patriots radio broadcaster Gil Santos passed away Thursday at the age of 80, according to David Wade of WBZ.
The Patriots Hall of Famer was the team’s play-by-play broadcaster for 36 seasons, broadcasting from 1966 to 1980 and then again from 1991 to 2012 when the rights returned to WBZ.
Santos is the second-longest-tenured announcer in NFL history after Merrill Reese of the Philadelphia Eagles.
His booming voice gave Boston sports fans many unforgettable calls, but his most important moment undoubtedly came when he called Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams.
He retired following the Patriots’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 AFC Championship Game.
Despite earlier reports that Santos was 78, the Patriots confirmed he was 80 years old. Thursday was Santos’ 80th birthday.
UPDATE (11:30 p.m. ET): Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement on Santos’ death late Thursday night.
“For generations of Patriots fans, Gil Santos was and forever will be known as the ‘Voice of the Patriots,’ ” Kraft’s statement read. “Tonight, I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing on a day that he was celebrating his 80th birthday and his 57th wedding anniversary to his wife, Roberta. Gil was a legendary broadcaster, who for 36 years passionately described the play-by-play detail of every Patriots game during his career, including many of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
“It was my privilege to honor Gil with his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2013. His legacy and most memorable calls will live there for future generations of Patriots fans to enjoy. On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, we extend our sincerest sympathies to Roberta, his daughter Kathleen, his son Mark and the many others who are mourning his loss.”
