Legendary ESPN broadcaster Mike Patrick has passed away at the age of 80 years old, the network confirmed on Tuesday.

Patrick spent 36 years as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN, serving as the voice of the network’s NFL coverage on “Sunday Night Football” for 18 seasons. He joined ESPN in his play-by-play role in 1982 and called his last event for the network in 2017.

He passed away of natural causes on Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia.

ESPN president of content Burke Magnus offered a heartfelt message after Patrick’s passing.

“Mike Patrick called countless significant events over decades at ESPN and is one of the most influential on-air voices in our history,” Magnus said in a statement. “In addition to calling ESPN’s first-ever regular season NFL game and voicing the ‘Sunday Night Football’ franchise for 18 seasons, Mike’s work on college sports was exceptional.

“For 36 years, he called football and men’s and women’s basketball, including the Women’s Final Four and so many historic matchups between ACC rivals Duke and UNC. Our deepest condolences to Mike’s family and his many friends throughout the industry.”

Many of Patrick’s former colleagues also offered heartfelt tributes to the legendary broadcaster.

“I’m so sorry to learn about the passing of Mike Patrick. I called him Mr. ACC as he had a great love for doing the big ACC games,” ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said Tuesday. “Mike had great energy and a keen knowledge of ACC basketball, and I truly enjoyed sitting next to him calling so many special games over the years.”

“So sorry to learn of the passing of the great Mike Patrick. Mike was the voice of ACC Basketball when I was a player, and I had the honor of working with him and calling him a friend. Mike Patrick was a pro’s pro. RIP Mike Patrick,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas wrote on social media.

Patrick made a lasting impact on the sports media community and will not be forgotten.