After 19 years, Murphy’s days as the team’s play-by-play man may be over — but he’s ready for what’s next with the Buffalo Bills.
After a radio career spanning more than three decades, John Murphy — Buffalo’s longtime play-by-play announcer — has announced his decision to step away from the masterful role he played in the booth the last 19 years.
Before announcing his retirement, Murphy had been “the voice of the Bills” since longtime play-by-play legend Van Miller retired at the conclusion of the 2003 NFL season.
And John Murphy, a Buffalo Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame inductee, soon built his own legend over the airwaves.
While replacing Miller was never going to be easy, Murphy’s ascension to play-by-play duties in the main chair came naturally thanks to his experience as a Bills analyst (and color commentator) with Miller during two stints (1984-1989 / 1994-2003). Additionally, Murphy was the host of The John Murphy Show/One Bills Live from 2012-2020.
Murphy’s booth retirement comes just 16 months after suffering a stroke that left him unable to call the Bills’ Week 17 Monday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in January of 2023. Most recall that game as the night that safety Damar Hamlin suffered an on-field cardiac arrest later diagnosed as commotio cordis.
While Hamlin has since made a triumphant return to the field, Murphy’s battle back has sidelined him since. Though following initial in-hospital medical care Murphy was reportedly recovering at home and making daily progress, and continues to do so now.
Then in August of 2023, Murphy made his first public appearance in a visit to Bills training camp — further highlighting the positive steps in his journey to recovery.
In an interview with Alan Pergament of The Buffalo News, Murphy mentioned the irony of being in the best shape of his life after losing 70 pounds yet unable to speak well enough at this time to fulfill his duties the team’s play-by-play announcer.
Murphy told Pergament this week that despite a daily regimen of speech and occupational therapy: “‘I kept waiting to get better. The recovery is slow, and I know I won’t be ready in September, so I said, ‘That’s it.’ I’m not talking good enough to do a broadcast.’”
Though Murphy’s comments may tug at Bills Mafia’s heartstrings, he’s taking it all in stride and appears well on his way to a profound recovery as part of the next chapter in his life.
The next time we hear from “Murph” as it relates to the Buffalo Bills, it will be within a new realm. He’s left the door open for a return to game-day work in a new, different capacity. That would appear to have met the wishes of Bills co-owner Terry Pegula, who offered the following in a reflection on John Murphy:
“John’s love and enthusiasm for the Bills and Western New York has been evident for the past 30-plus years in the booth. We will all miss his great calls and passion as the play-by-play announcer. We continue to wish he and his family all the best during his recovery and we hope that he can remain a part of our organization in the future.”
In addition to his 2019 induction into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame, John Murphy is also a Dick Gallagher Legacy Award recipient from the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (2022).
Murphy now joins the ranks of Van Miller and so many other individuals connected to the Buffalo Bills. Like those before him, Murphy has left an indelible mark on the Buffalo community — and with so much of Bills Mafia around the state, country, and world who brought John into their homes, garages, backyards, cars, and even bars to feel better-connected to the football team they love like little else.
Win or lose, under John Murphy’s stewardship, the Bills were always carried across the airwaves in perfect harmony with the greatest fans in professional sports.
Cheers to you, John, and thanks for so many incredible years in the radio booth and elsewhere covering the Buffalo Bills. We offer our genuine support and congratulations on your continued recovery and this next chapter of your life.
An ambassador for both Bills football and the city of Buffalo.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 9, 2024
After more than three decades, John Murphy will be stepping away from play-by-play duties but leaving the door open to be involved in the game day broadcast: https://t.co/vBQkVb1Zek pic.twitter.com/EjZ6t2fXDV
Catch up with more of our coverage of John Murphy, from a Buffalo Rumblings-exclusive one-one-one interview in 2018, to honors bestowed upon him, and also news about his battle back from a debilitating stroke in January of 2023.
- “The Voice of the Buffalo Bills” John Murphy Q&A
- Voice of the Buffalo Bills, John Murphy, to be enshrined in Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame
- John Murphy & Steve Tasker join forces for new Buffalo Bills talk show
- John Murphy, Voice of the Bills, recovering at home following stroke
- Chris Brown to continue calling Buffalo Bills games as John Murphy recovers from stroke
- John Murphy makes appearance at Buffalo Bills training camp