John Murphy, the longtime play-by-play 'Voice of the Buffalo Bills', announced he is stepping away from his position ahead of the 2024 season.

Murphy spent the last 35 years on the radio broadcast for the Bills, including 16 years as a color analyst (1984-1989 & 1994-2003) and the last 19 years as the play-by-play announcer (2004-2022). The Lockport, NY native is still leaving the door open to be involved in the game day broadcast in a different capacity.

"John's love and enthusiasm for the Bills and Western New York has been evident for the past 30-plus years in the booth. We will all miss his great calls and passion as the play-by-play announcer. We continue to wish he and his family all the best during his recovery and we hope that he can remain a part of our organization in the future," Bills owner Terry Pegula said in a statement.

In an interview with Susan Rose of WBEN, Murphy shared that he's ready to move on to a new chapter of his life.

"I'll miss it a great deal." Murphy said. "I'll miss the people more than anything."

Murphy also shared that he and his wife Mary both agreed that this was the right time for him to step away and that he is at peace with the decision.

"Yeah I am (at peace)," Murphy said. "I made (the decision) in the last month or so."

Murphy leaves behind a legacy of being an ambassador of both Bills football and the city of Buffalo. For over three decades, his calls served as a soundtrack for historic Buffalo Bills moments.

"Murph, congratulations on a tremendous career," Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. "It's been such an honor to serve with you. You're one of the best to ever do it."

Added Bills general manager Brandon Beane, "You'll always be a Buffalo legend and big in the community and big with the Buffalo Bills."

Murphy's decorated career includes an induction into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame in 2019. He also earned the Dick Gallagher Legacy Award from the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 for being a pillar in the Buffalo community and showcasing local amateur sports during his broadcasting career.

"I've known John for three decades before we ever worked together. And he's been a staple in Buffalo broadcasting as long as I've been in Buffalo," said Bills Legend Steve Tasker. "What I'll always remember about being around John is all the stuff that happened to me during my football career that ended up me being in at least a conversation for the Hall of Fame. John Murphy is the first guy to ever use my name in conjunction with the Hall of Fame."

In 2023, Murphy co-wrote a book with Scott Pitoniak titled *If These Walls Could Talk: Buffalo Bills*, where Murphy gives his behind-the-scenes perspective on Buffalo Bills history.

Prior to the book's release, Murphy asked Bills legend and current Bills radio color analyst Eric Wood to write the foreword for the book. The pair worked together on the Bills radio broadcast starting in 2019. Wood shared that it was a pleasure to be able to work alongside one of the best in the business.

"His love for Western New York, the Buffalo area as well as the team is amazing," Wood said. "He grew up going to Bills games which has allowed him to write a book on the history of the Bills. And then he combines all of that into what makes him an incredible broadcaster."