John Murphy, Buffalo’s ‘Ticket Voice,’ Announces Retirement from Booth

After a radio career spanning more than three decades, John Murphy – Buffalo’s longtime play-by-play announcer – announced his decision to step away from the masterful role he played in the booth for 19 last years.

Before announcing his retirement, Murphy had been “the voice of the Bills” since longtime play-by-play legend Van Miller retired at the end of the 2003 NFL season.

And Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductee John Murphy quickly built his own legend on the airwaves.

Although replacing Miller was never going to be easy, Murphy’s ascension to play-by-play duties in the lead chair came naturally thanks to his experience as a Bills analyst (and color commentator) with Miller during two stays (1984-1989/1994-2003). Additionally, Murphy was the host of The John Murphy/One Bills Show Live from 2012 to 2020.

Murphy’s retirement comes just 16 months after suffering a stroke that left him unable to call Week 17 for the Bills. Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January 2023. Most remember this game as the night safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field, later diagnosed as commotio cordis.

While Hamlin has since made a triumphant return to the court, Murphy’s fightback has since sidelined him. Although after initial medical treatment at the hospital, Murphy reportedly recovered at home and made daily progress, and continues to do so now.

Then, in August 2023, Murphy made his first public appearance during a visit to Bills training camp, further highlighting the positive steps in his recovery journey.

In an interview with Alan Pergament of Buffalo NewsMurphy mentioned the irony of being in the best shape of his life after losing 70 pounds but unable to speak well enough at that time to fulfill his duties as the team’s play-by-play announcer.

Murphy told Pergament this week that despite a daily schedule of speech and occupational therapy: “’I was still 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 don’t speak well enough to do a show.

While 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 deep recovery as he enters the next chapter of his life.

The next time we hear “Murph” talk about the Buffalo Bills, it will be in a new area. He left the door open to returning to work on game day in a new and different role. This would appear to have fulfilled 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 over 30 years in the booth. We will all miss his big calls and his passion as a play-by-play announcer. We continue to wish him and his family all the best during his recovery and hope that he can continue to be a part of our organization in the future.

In addition to his 2019 induction into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, John Murphy is also the recipient of the Dick Gallagher Legacy Award from the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (2022).

Murphy now joins the ranks of Van Miller and so many others connected to the Buffalo Bills. Like those who came before him, Murphy left an indelible mark on the Buffalo community – and with so many members of Bill’s mob across the state, country and world bringing John into their homes, garages , backyards, cars and even bars to feel better. -connected to the football team they love like few others.

Win or lose, under the leadership of John Murphy, the Bills have always been broadcast across the airwaves in perfect harmony with professional sports’ biggest fans.

Well done to you, John, and thank you for so many incredible years in the radio booth and elsewhere covering the Buffalo Bills. We offer you our true support and congratulations on your continued recovery and this next chapter of your life.

Check out more of our coverage of John Murphy, from an exclusive one-on-one interview at Buffalo Rumblings in 2018, to the honors bestowed upon him, plus news on his battle to recover from a debilitating stroke in January 2023.