While ESPN Sunday Night Football play-by-play announcer Mike Patrick recovers from heart surgery, the “Total Sports Network” couldn’t ask for a more experienced substitute.
Longtime National Football League broadcaster Pat Summerall will remain on Sunday Night Football until Patrick returns, which ESPN expects to occur sometime during October.
Summerall joins analysts Paul Maguire and Joe Theismann and sideline reporter Suzy Kolber.
Patrick underwent triple-bypass surgery Aug. 6, and he is recuperating at his Virginia home.
“Mike Patrick continues to recover and regain strength, and he will return as the voice of Sunday Night Football in a few weeks,” ESPN executive vice president of programming and production Mark Shapiro said in a prepared statement.
“In the meantime, we are honored to have Pat Summerall's signature voice and game call leading our charge into the regular season,” he added.
ESPN’s Sunday Night Football schedule kicks off Sept. 12 at 8:30 p.m. (EST), when the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Denver Broncos.
