Philly Radio: NFL Hall To Honor Eagles Voice Merrill Reese

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday Merril; Reese, the longtime radio voice of the Philadelphia Eagles will receive its 2024 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.

“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, in a statement.

The Eagles' 2024-2025 campaign will be Reese's 48th consecutive season as the team's radio play-by-play announcer. The Philadelphia Business Journal reports former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick has been his partner in the broadcasting booth since 1998.

After serving in the U.S. Navy as a public affairs officer, Reese began his radio career as a sportscaster for WPAZ in Pottstown calling high school football games. He next worked at WBCB in Levittown, where he currently serves as co-owner. In the early 1970s, he worked at different Philadelphia radio stations, doing morning sports on WWDB and pregame and postgame Eagles shows on WIP.

In 1977, Reese provided color commentary alongside Charlie Swift, who had called Eagles games since 1969. During a morning show with WWDB, Reese received the news that Swift had died and WIP wanted him to fill in as the lead play-by-play sportscaster.

Reese, 81, will be honored during the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week that culminates with the Class of 2024 enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 3 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Former players being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year are Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis.

During his career, Reese has received numerous awards and recognition, including: Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year, Lindsey Nelson Award for Excellence in Sportscasting, and his induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Temple University Communications Hall of Fame and Overbrook High School Hall of Fame.

Past winner of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award include broadcasters Pat Summerall, Dick Enberg, John Madden, Chris Berman and Al Michaels.