L-A Radio: Matt Smith To Call Chargers Games

Matt Smith

The NFL Chargers’ plan to “Fight for L.A.” got a new narrator Monday, with the team announcing Los Angeles sports-talk mainstay Matt Smith as the team’s new radio play-by-play announcer.

Smith is the co-host of “Petros and Money” on KLAC 570 AM and a contributing analyst on the NFL Network and NFL.com.

He’ll be joined in the booth by former Chargers center Nick Hardwick on KFI 640 AM’s broadcasts. Hardwick, who co-hosts a radio show in San Diego, was a vocal critic of the team’s decision to leave town.

He told the team’s website he had a change of heart around the NFL draft, when he focused almost entirely on who the Chargers picked.

According to the L-A Times, Smith replaces Josh Lewin, the team’s radio voice for the past 12 seasons.

Former Lakers’ play-by-play voice Spero Dedes and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts will handle the television broadcasts for the Chargers’ preseason games.

Smith  considers calling play-by-play for the Bolts a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“To say I’m excited is an understatement,” he said.  “I’ve had the chance to call a few games a season the past few years, and they’ve always felt like our local team. The fact that I am not only going to be a play-by-play announcer for the Chargers, but also during the first year in which they are moving to Los Angeles is extremely exciting. Some of my earliest NFL memories were with the Chargers.  I remember watching Dan Fouts, Charlies Joiner and Kellen Winslow.  I went through some of those excruciating losses to the Steelers and Raiders, but also just beating up on the Dolphins in the playoffs. The chance to share those stories during the broadcast helps people know that this is a storied franchise.  When it comes to the offensive side of football, you are talking about one of the premiere franchises in NFL history. I couldn’t be more excited.”

Prior to joining the Chargers, Smith served as a play-by-play announcer for Compass Media Network’s coverage of NFL games, NCAA football and NCAA basketball.  He’s also called games on television for the Pac-12 Network and the NFL on Fox.