The Buffalo Bills learned this week that longtime radio play-by-play announcer John Murphy won’t be calling games this fall.
Murphy suffered a stroke during the late stages of the 2022 season. He sat out the 2023 season because he was going through rehab.
Earlier this week, Murphy revealed that he still hasn’t made enough progress to return to the booth. As a result, he’ll sit out the 2024 season.
“I’ve lost a lot of weight, I work out every day,” Murphy said, via Audacy. “I feel good. I just can’t talk, and that’s what’s holding me back from being on the radio. I just can’t talk, and it wouldn’t be fair. I thought I might make it back last year and didn’t, and I tried again this year and it’s not gonna happen. It’s slow progress, but it is progress. Hopefully by September, I’m able to talk a little bit.”
Stepping away from the broadcast booth wasn’t an easy decision for Murphy. He made that abundantly clear.
“I’ll miss a great deal. I’ll miss the people, first of all, the great, great people that work for the Bills and have worked for the Bills over the years. I’ll miss working with them. The great people at ‘GR radio and working with them. I’ll miss the people more than anything.”
Murphy has been the voice of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network for 19 years.
We’re wishing Murphy all the best as he continues his recovery process.