Dan Davis, the ESPN Radio founding member known as 'The Duke,' has died at the age of 84. The channel announced his passing on October 21, with no cause of death confirmed. Tributes have poured in from colleagues and fans who remember his unmistakable voice and decades of broadcasting.
ESPN Remembers a Founding Member
ESPN released a statement reading: "ESPN remembers Dan Davis, an ESPN Radio founding member, who passed away Wednesday. Starting Jan '92, Davis served as a host and update reporter." The statement continued: "Upon retiring in '11, colleagues paid tribute to 'The Duke', celebrating his unmistakable voice and contributions."
Davis worked in radio for more than 50 years, becoming a familiar presence on sports airwaves.
Colleagues and Fans Pay Tribute
Ron Flatter, a former ESPN Radio colleague, wrote on social media: "It has been a rough morning getting news of the passing of longtime friend and former ESPN Radio colleague Dan Davis at 84." He added a photo, noting: "This was the last time I saw him, when he visited me in Las Vegas in 2017. Thinking about 'Nette and his family."
Another tribute read: "Sad day with the passing of 'The Duke' Dan Davis. A great mentor, a terrific broadcaster, and an absolute gentleman. RIP."
A third social media user highlighted Davis's most famous moment: "We've lost a great one. Dan Davis is gone. Davis was the longtime Update Guy at @ESPNRadio but he's best known for his radio call of @DougFlutie's Hail Mary pass in 1984. Davis was one helluva broadcaster & his call of Flutie's pass was epic."
Legendary Voice and Legacy
One fan wrote: "Loved the Duke. Nobody who worked at ESPN radio didn't know Dan and have a story to tell. RIP Duke." Another said: "His legendary Flutie call will live forever, and to know him as a colleague at ESPN when he was the Update Guy was to love him. He not only had 'The Voice,' but also the precision. I loved him every year at The Masters. He could make reading scores addictively good! RIP, Duke!"
Speaking on his retirement in 2011, Davis said: "ESPN is everything a sports guy could want, and more. Hard to claim that what I've done for years qualifies as work."
His passing marks the end of an era for sports radio, with his contributions remembered by those who worked alongside him and listened to his broadcasts.
