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File #: 250124    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 2/20/2025 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 2/20/2025
Title: Commending and recognizing NFL Hall of Famer Merrill Reese for his nearly fifty-year career as the voice of the Philadelphia Eagles and his exceptional contributions to broadcasting in sports.
Sponsors: Council President Johnson, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Ahmad, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Thomas, Councilmember Young
Attachments: 1. Signature25012400.doc
Title
Commending and recognizing NFL Hall of Famer Merrill Reese for his nearly fifty-year career as the voice of the Philadelphia Eagles and his exceptional contributions to broadcasting in sports.

Body
WHEREAS, Merrill Alan Reese grew up in Overbrook, Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School; and

WHEREAS, Reese graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in communications and broadcasting; and

WHEREAS, Reese served as a public affairs officer in the United States Navy and then joined the Philadelphia radio stations WHAT and WWDB as a newscaster and sportscaster; and

WHEREAS, In 1977 he became the Eagles play-by-play voice for Philadelphia radio station WIP, and is now the longest-serving current play-by-play announcer in the NFL; and

WHEREAS, Reese wrote his autobiography "It's Gooooood! detailing his path to living his dream as the Voice of the Eagles and continues to host WIP's Coach's Show with Eagles players and personnel; and

WHEREAS, He has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Temple University Communications Hall of Fame, and Overbrook High School Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, He has been recognized numerous times by his peers as Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year, Selected Radio Broadcaster of the Year, Selected Person of the Year, and as the winner of the Lindsey Nelson Award for Excellence in Sportscasting; and

WHEREAS, On Sunday, February 4, 2018, Reese called Super Bowl LII, as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 for their first Super Bowl title, and Sunday, February 9, 2025, Reese called Super Bowl LIX as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, to secure their second Super Bowl title; and

WHEREAS, Reese was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2016 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024 upon receiving the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television...

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