The Voice of the Eagles Joins the Club for Breakfast

Merrill Reece, the "Voice of the Eagles"

since 1977, the NFL's longest tenured announcer, joined club members and guests this morning for breakfast. 

And, depsite some member's having long-standing devotion to the Eagels division rival NY Giants and one (not present) aTom Brady and Patriots fan, everyone throoughly enjoyed his incredible presentation, calling in "sensational" and being amazed by his "total recall" of names, games and even plays he has witnessed over a span of more than four decades.

Reese is a graduate of Temple University earning a bachelor's degree in Communications and Broadcasting. While in college, he learned his craft by doing play-by-play over the college's radio station,  WRTI FM. ThereI, Reese also had a music show every Wednesday afternoon where he spun 45-rpm records (most of our members clearly remember them) from his own personal collection.

Reese eventually landed a job in Philadelphia as a newscaster and sportscaster at WHAT and its FM companion WWDB.  After a few years he moved on to WIP as a backup for that station's Sports Director, Charlie Swift, who did drive-time sportscasts and Philadelphia Eagles play-by-play. While Swift was vacationing, Reese began doing the pre-game and post-game shows for the Eagles on WIP and later was assigned to do color commentary during the games.  Hours after Swift committed suicide on December 7th, 1977, Reese was immediately promoted to Eagles play-by-play voice. His debut in that capacity was a 17–14 home victory over the (sorry Steve) New York Giants four days later on December 11th.

On Sunday, February 4, 2018, Reese called Super Bowl LII, as the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 (one of us can take consolation about whe won last year's Super Bowl) for their first Super Bowl title. With 38 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter, he called the Eagles' 4th and Goal play which would later be known as the "Philly Special" thus:

“Foles in the gun. Clement to his right. Now lines up behind Foles. Foles moves to the right and it goes directly to Clement and Clement reverses it and it goes into the end zone…AND IT'S A TOUCHDOWN BY NICK FOLES!"

Then, in the 4th quarter, Reese called the game's final play:

"Batted around…and incomplete! And the game is over! The game is over! The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champions. Eagles fans everywhere, this is for you. Let the celebration begin!”

Merrill answered numerous questions.

He thought Donovan McNabb was their best quarterback. He has all the records. He thought Randall Cunningham was the most exciting, the best athlete. He felt the Eagles are in the mix for the 2019-20 post season success.

(l to r)  Merrill Reece and Club President Jeff Revak

He answered questions. He thought Donovan McNabb was their best quarterback. He has all the records. He thought Randall Cunningham was the most exciting, the best athlete. He felt the Eagles are in the mix for post season success.

Merrill has been named Pennsylvania Sportscaster-of-the-Year by the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters numerous times. He’s been named Selected Radio Broadcaster of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters as well as Selected Person of the Year by the Broadcast Pioneers. He was the recipient of the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award, winner of the Lindsey Nelson Award for Excellence in Sportscasting by the All American Football Association, and was selected by Philadelphia Magazine as Philadelphia’s best sportscaster. His autobiography published in 1998, “Merrill Reese: It’s Gooooood!” is a best seller. He also wrote “Sportscasting: Turning Your Passion into a Profession”.

He’s been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Temple University Communications Hall of Fame, and Overbrook High School Hall of Fame.

Merrill is now part-owner of WBCB and serves as General Manager.  He’s an avid golfer and competes in numerous charity tournaments.  He currently resides in Blue Bell with his wife Cindy. His son, Nolan, is a film editor and resides in Hollywood, California.  His daughter, Ida, is a graphic designer.