Bills Voice: New Update on John Murphy's Health and Buffalo Broadcast Plan

John Murphy, the longtime voice of the Buffalo Bills, won't be ready for the 2023 season as he continues to recover from a stroke.

The Buffalo Bills and WGR announced this week that Chris Brown is set to continue his duties as the team's interim play-by-play man. Brown steps in for John Murphy, who continues to recover from a stroke that kept him away from the Bills' final four games of last season.

“The Bills and WGR 550 announce that Chris Brown will continue in his role as interim play-by-play voice of the Bills radio network to begin the 2023 season," a joint statement from the team reads. "Brown filled in for John Murphy at the conclusion of the 2022 season calling the regular season finale and both playoff games. We continue to wish John and the Murphy family the best in his recovery.”

Murphy has held Western New York play-by-play duties since 2004, previously serving as an analyst alongside Van Miller. He was an unexpected scratch from the Bills' Jan. 2 contest in Cincinnati, an event that was later called off after Damar Hamlin's collapse on the field. 

A 2019 inductee into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame, Murphy previously said he would wait until "late July" to make a decision on the 2023 season, stating there was "still some recovery to do."

Brown's voice is familiar to Buffalo sports fans, as he has been the Bills' local commentator on several pre-game and analysis programs. He also called games for the Buffalo Destroyers, the former Arena Football League that played at what is now KeyBank Arena. Brown took to Twitter to not only express his gratitude for his continued duties but also to wish Murphy well.

Honored and privileged to call #Bills games again while Murph continues his recovery. #BillsMafia https://t.co/AQvRN8nPzY

— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) July 6, 2023

The first broadcast of the Bills season will land on Aug. 12, when Buffalo plays its lone preseason home game against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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