NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Special Message To John Murphy

You know you're a pretty big deal when the commissioner of the NFL sends you well wishes.

Roger Goodell has been the commissioner of the NFL since 2006.  He is also a Western New York native, so although he's the head of the league, he knows all to well about the impact that John Murphy has had with the Buffalo Bills.

Unfortunately, due to some health problems that he has been dealing with over the last year, Murphy recently announced that he will be stepping down from his position of play-by-play man for the Bills.

Today, the commissioner sent his well wishes to the longtime broadcaster

Murphy has had a long career in Buffalo sports

Not only has he been on broadcast teams for the Buffalo Bills but also for the Buffalo Bisons, the Niagara Purple Eagles, the Canisius Golden Griffins and the UB Bulls.

He has also worked as a reporter and a sports director for radio and television since the 80's.

Of course, he is best known as the play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Bills after taking over when Van Miller stepped aside, a role he's held for 19 years.  Before that Murphy served as the color commentator next to Miller.

Murphy will be stepping away, but not completely

Unfortunately, last season, Murphy suffered a stroke in the middle of the season and wasn't able to continue.  While people have been hoping that he would be able to come back, he has finally decided to step away from his role as the play-by-play announcer.

He mentioned to WBEN's Susan Rose during an interview that his recovery is going well.  He's lost a bunch of weight and he's working out every day, but his speech still hasn't returned to where he hoped he would be.  He is hoping that it might come back a little more in the next couple of months and that he will be able to take part in the broadcast again someday in some capacity.

We all wish him well on his recovery.