Mike Patrick, longtime ESPN broadcaster, is leaving network

ESPN announced Wednesday that longtime play-by-play broadcaster Mike Patrick has called his last game for the network, ending a career that spanned more than 35 years and multiple college and professional sports.

Patrick's last game was the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30, according to ESPN.

“It’s wonderful to reflect on how I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do with my life," Patrick said in a statement. "At the same time, I’ve had the great pleasure of working with some of the very best people I’ve ever known, both on the air and behind the scenes." 

Patrick arrived at ESPN in 1982, shortly after its creation, and became one of the network's most versatile play-by-play commentators. He handled play-by-play duties in ESPN's first NFL game broadcast in 1987 and spent nearly two decades as part of the network's NFL broadcast team, which at the time was Sunday Night Football

The 73-year-old also contributed to ESPN's college basketball coverage, calling more than 30 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball championships and spending 14 years as a play-by-play broadcaster for the women's Final Four, according to the network.

The network announced that it would air a tribute to Patrick on Sportscenter throughout the day Wednesday, adding that he will join ESPN's telecast during Wednesday night's broadcast of Duke's home game against Louisville. Duke also has plans to honor Patrick during the game, according to ESPN.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.