Resolution 250124

..Title Commending and recognizing NFL Hall of Famer Merrill Reese for his nearly fifty-year career as the voice of the Philadelphia Eagles and his exceptional contributions to broadcasting in sports. ..Body WHEREAS, Merrill Alan Reese grew up in Overbrook, Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School; and WHEREAS, Reese graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in communications and broadcasting; and WHEREAS, Reese served as a public affairs officer in the United States Navy and then joined the Philadelphia radio stations WHAT and WWDB as a newscaster and sportscaster; and WHEREAS, In 1977 he became the Eagles play-by-play voice for Philadelphia radio station WIP, and is now the longest-serving current play-by-play announcer in the NFL; and WHEREAS, Reese wrote his autobiography "It's Gooooood! detailing his path to living his dream as the Voice of the Eagles and continues to host WIP's Coach's Show with Eagles players and personnel; and WHEREAS, He has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Temple University Communications Hall of Fame, and Overbrook High School Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, He has been recognized numerous times by his peers as Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year, Selected Radio Broadcaster of the Year, Selected Person of the Year, and as the winner of the Lindsey Nelson Award for Excellence in Sportscasting; and WHEREAS, On Sunday, February 4, 2018, Reese called Super Bowl LII, as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 for their first Super Bowl title, and Sunday, February 9, 2025, Reese called Super Bowl LIX as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, to secure their second Super Bowl title; and WHEREAS, Reese was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2016 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024 upon receiving the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in football; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby commends and recognizes NFL Hall of Famer Merrill Alan Reese for his remarkable career covering the Philadelphia Eagles. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution is presented to Merrill Alan Reese as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body. ..End