The former radio voice of the Green Bay Packers, Jim Irwin, has lost his battle with kidney cancer at age 77. He had long been on the sports staff of Journal Broadcasting’s WTMJ-AM Milwaukee before retiring after the 1998 NFL season.
In addition to Packers play-by-play, Irwin also called games on radio for the Milwaukee Bucks and University of Wisconsin Badgers over the course of his long broadcasting career.
“Jim’s longevity shows he was a tremendous play-by-play announcer and I think it showed great loyalty, both fans to Jim, and Jim to the fans,” said Steve Wexler, Executive Vice President of Journal Broadcast Group.
Irwin arrived in Green Bay in 1964 as Sports Director of WLUK-TV, then the ABC affiliate. He joined the Packers radio team in 1969.
“The Packers organization was saddened today to hear of the passing of Jim Irwin. Jim was great friend to the Packers family over the years, particularly for the 24 seasons he was the play-by-play voice of the Packers Radio Network. During Jim’s Hall-of-Fame career, Packers fans all over the state were riveted by his calls,” said a statement from Packers President Mark Murphy.
