Gil Santos

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Gil Santos is the longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the New England Patriots of the National Football League, and morning sports reporter for WBZ radio in Boston.

He has called Patriots games continuously since 1966, except for a stretch between 1980 and 1990. His 28 years of services makes him the longest-serving current announcer in the NFL, tied with Merrill Reese of the Philadelphia Eagles. Since 1990, his partner in the booth has been former Patriots kicker Gino Cappelletti. Brad Sham, the voice of the Dallas Cowboys is third with 27 years with the Cowboys (19 of those years as a play-by-play announcer).

[edit] Style

In contrast with most other announcers in the NFL and other sports, Santos is known for his low-key style, only raising his voice during major season-changing plays. He is best known for his calls of Adam Vinatieri's game winning field goals in the final seconds of two of the Patriots' recent Super Bowl wins:

Super Bowl XXXVI:
- "Ken Walter will hold, Lonnie Paxton will snap, from the right hash mark angled to the left for Adam Vinatieri, a 48-yard field goal attempt. Set to go, Snap, ball down, kick is up, kick is on the way and it is...GOOD! IT'S GOOD! IT'S GOOD! ADAM VINATIERI BOOMS A 48-YARD FIELD GOAL AND THE GAME IS OVER! AND THE PATRIOTS ARE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! THE PATRIOTS...ARE...SUPER BOWL...CHAMPIONS! THE BEST TEAM IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE!"

Super Bowl XXXVIII:
- "...angled to the left, 41-yard field goal attempt, snap coming for Adam Vinatieri...snap, ball down, kick up, kick on the way, KICK IS GOOD! THE KICK IS GOOD! 32-29!"
- On the ensuing kickoff return with four seconds left: "[Rod] Smart from the 3...at the 5...at the 10...right to the 15...to the 20...he is hit...HE IS DOWN! IT IS OVERRR! WE'RE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS...AGAIN!"