Bill Belichick Mourns Death Of Gil Santos, Legendary Patriots Broadcaster

The Boston sports world lost an icon Thursday with the passing of former New England Patriots radio broadcaster Gil Santos, who died at age 80.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick released a statement Friday morning commemorating Santos, whom he said “will forever remain a special figure in the lives of generations of players, coaches and fans.”

Santos’ booming voice served as the soundtrack to many of the most memorable moments in Patriots history, including each of the team’s first three Super Bowl victories. He retired from the booth after the 2012 season, ending a career that spanned 36 years and 743 games, and was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2013.

Santos died on his 80th birthday, which also was his 57th wedding anniversary.

“For generations of Patriots fans, Santos was and forever will be known as the ‘Voice of the Patriots,’ ” team owner Robert Kraft said in a statement Thursday night.