Eagles radio voice Merrill Reese is a PSWA Special Achievement Award winner for his Pro Football Hall of Fame recognition last summer
By Bob Grotz
Delaware County Daily Times, retired
Merrill Reese, the venerable voice of the Philadelphia Eagles, has always understood the importance of preparation. And that preparation has paid off with the ultimate honor.
This past summer, he received the 2024 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, the playoff schedule and other commitments have forced Reese to miss our event this year, however the public is still welcome to join in this annual Philly sports celebration and can learn more about the 120th PSWA Banquet and purchase tickets by clicking here.
Other Philadelphia sports greats such as Charlie Manuel (Most Courageous), Bill Giles (Living Legend) and members of the the 1984-85 Philadelphia Stars (Living Legend Team) will be among the honorees on Thursday.
Getting honored never gets old for Reese, in his 48th year calling Eagles games over the airwaves. “I’m humbled by them, and I’m honored to receive them,” Reese said. “It makes you feel appreciated.”
Judging by Reese’s energy, it won’t be the last time he gains accolades. Football means everything to Reese, who constantly reaches out for enrichment, not hot takes. The best way to gain trust is by earning it, and Reese is an example of this process.
When Reese was honored with the PSWA’s inaugural Bill Campbell Award at the 2016 PSWA dinner, he sat with Matt Rhule and Tyler Matakevich, the former Temple University head football coach and star linebacker, who also were honored. Reese always will remember the scouting report he got about Paxton Lynch, the 6-foot-7 Memphis quarterback the Owls competed against in the American Athletic Conference. Lynch lasted three seasons in the NFL, the Denver Broncos taking him off the board with the 26th pick in the 2016 draft. He was 1-3 as an NFL starter.
“We spoke about some of the players coming up in the draft the following year and some of the players Temple played against,” Reese recalled. “And I remember asking about Paxton Lynch, that real tall quarterback. Matt said, ‘I’ll be honest with you, he’s not NFL ready. We played him, and he might turn out to be OK but he’s not ready for the NFL.’ Matt Rhule knew.”
Reese filed the conversation away but didn’t get to use that intel in 2017, as Lynch was scratched the November weekend when the Broncos visited Philadelphia. But it’s a sample of the constant, top-notch preparation that adds depth to his broadcasts which are highly regarded by fans and colleagues. It also helped punch his ticket to the Hall of Fame.
Longtime Philadelphia area radio personality Billy Werndl, who serves as Reese’s spotter in the booth on game days, was at the 2024 induction ceremony in Canton, OH.
“He was visibly moved at the Hall of Fame ceremony,” Werndl said. “He was amongst all the great players, coaches and broadcasters of the game. He was at the top of the mountain. He gave a great speech, short and to the point. And I mean, 48 years with one club … I don’t think that will ever be broken. Merrill is the consummate professional. That’s the one thing that really sticks out. Merrill is on top of everything. He doesn’t show up and just do the game.”
In addition to Werndl, Reese counts among his friends Hall of Fame announcers Jim Nantz, Joe Buck and Al Michaels. They bump into each other throughout the season and probably will keep getting together for some time.
“I enjoy this as much as I ever have,” Reese said. “I could not love it more and I have no intention of retiring. I prepare just as I’ve always prepared. I’m just as nervous on the day of the game as I was 47 years ago.”