In our off-time, Packers’ legendary broadcaster Jim Irwin (foreground) passed away, and we would be ashamed if we didn’t note it here for our readers. Irwin, 77, was the play-by-play announcer on Packers’ game broadcasts for 30 years on WTMJ-Milwaukee. He called 612 consecutive games, and was accompanied by legendary receiver Max McGee (behind Irwin, above) as his color commentator for the last 20 years of his career. The two made a great pair that took listeners through many horrible seasons before experiencing the rebirth of the team in the 1990’s, culminating in the Super Bowl XXXI victory. Two years later, the pair announced their retirement. McGee died in 2007 in an accident at his home.Irwin also did University of Wisconsin football broadcasts for 22 years, UW basketball for five years, UW-Milwaukee basketball for two years, and Milwaukee Bucks games for 16 years. Irwin also handled the sports announcing duties on WTMJ's early morning show for more than 30 years. He continued in that role until July 1999.
Both of these men are missed dearly by those who grew up listening to them — in our case, because most Green Bay games weren’t on T.V. where we lived. We salute Jim Irwin for his decades of dedication to the team that we all love — the Green Bay Packers. There will never be another like him.
