Iconic Patriots Announcer Gil Santos Dies On 80th Birthday; Tributes Pour In

Legendary New England Patriots radio commentator Gil Santos died Thursday on his 80th birthday, the team said.

Patriots Commentator Gil Santos Dies At 80

His son Mark Santos reportedly confirmed the death, for which a cause was not immediately revealed.

Gil Santos began calling Patriots games as a color analyst for WBZ in 1966. He held this position, and also started doing play-by-plays for the team, until about 1980 when the radio station lost the Patriots’ broadcast rights. Santos returned to the station in 1991 and retired after the 2012 NFL season. He announced 743 Patriots games in total.

SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!

According to WBZ, Santos also died on his 57th wedding anniversary.

Pats coach Bill Belichick released the following statement on Santos’ passing:

Santos was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009. Four years later, he was named to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

The broadcaster was known for his lively calls of Patriots games, especially the three Super Bowls the team won. Perhaps one of the most unforgettable games Santos called was New England’s Super Bowl XXXVI victory after the 2001 season, when the Pats defeated the then-St. Louis Rams 20-17 thanks to a 48-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri in the final seconds.

“For Adam Vinatieri, a 48-yard field goal attempt … set to go, ball down, kick up, kick is on the way … and … it … is … GOOD! IT’S GOOD! IT’S GOOD!” yelled Santos. “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!”

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft praised Santos in a team statement.

“It was my privilege to honor Gil with his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2013,”said Kraft. “His legacy and most memorable calls will live there for future generations of Patriots fans to enjoy.”

Besides his son, Santos is survived by his wife Roberta, his daughter Kathleen and two grandchildren.

SLIDESHOW: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes

Here are more tributes to Santos: