Longtime Eagles announcer Merrill Reese receives Pro Football Hall of Fame honor

Death and taxes... They're certain. So is the knowledge that longtime Philadelphia Eagles play-by-play announcer Merrill Reese will be a fixture in this team's gameday experience until he decides it's time to move on.

Reese has called more games than most of us have seen (or remember). Those iconic calls you heard or reminisced about while watching those NFL Films documentaries... Yep! That was him.

Those iconic calls made during some of the greatest moments in franchise history? Yep... That was him. The guy delivering the "I don't believe it... I don't believe it" call after Herman Edwards' return during the Miracle at the Meadowland. Yep! That's our guy Merrill.

Merrill Reese will receive the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2024 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.

Anyone claiming to be 'The Voice of the Philadelphia Eagles' since 1977 needs Hall-of-Fame worthy recognition. Fear not Birds fans. Merrill is getting his due.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement. The longest-serving current play-by-play announcer in the NFL will receive the 2024 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. Here's an accompanying statement from PFHOF President Jim Porter.

"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. For nearly a half-century, fans tuning into Eagles games, including opposing fans, have had the privilege of hearing Merrill’s legendary voice."

Part of what makes sports so captivating is some areas can't be debated. We know what a 100-mph fastball looks like. We don't have to argue, but if Merrill told us we were wrong, we'd believe him rather than trust what we were seeing.

Ray Didinger... Merrill Reese... Those guys have earned that level of respect. Some names just sound different when they are uttered. They're the G.O.A.T.s. Congratulations to another legend.

No one is more deserving. We tip our caps to an old favorite. Reese will be honored during the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week, one including the Enshrinees Gold Jacket Dinner in downtown Canton (Friday, August 2). He'll also be honored at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Saturday, August 3.

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