The Arizona Cardinals are making a massive shake-up, bringing in J.P. Shadrick as their new radio play-by-play voice for games. This isn’t just any change, folks; this is the end of an era, a real turning point for anyone who’s listened to Cardinals football on the radio for the last quarter-century. It’s wild to think about a voice becoming so synonymous with a team, but that’s exactly what happened in Arizona.
A New Voice for a New Era
Dave Pasch, the guy who called those games for a quarter-century, for 25 long years, officially stepped down. Can you believe it? Twenty-five years of calling NFL action is an incredible run, and he’s moving on to an exclusive role over at ESPN. That’s a huge shift right there. Imagine listening to the same voice guide you through every big moment, every nail-biting play, every crucial down for two and a half decades. That kind of familiarity builds a deep connection with the fan base. And it’s not just Pasch; longtime analyst Ron Wolfley also stepped down last year, making way for A.Q. Shipley to join the booth as the radio analyst. So, for the first time in what feels like forever, fans are going to be hearing an entirely new duo when they tune in. This isn’t just a new season; it’s a whole new soundscape for the Cardinals faithful.
Who Is J.P. Shadrick?
So, who is this guy, J.P. Shadrick, stepping into such a monumental role? He’s not exactly a rookie behind the mic, that’s for sure. Shadrick has been doing radio play-by-play for the NFL on Westwood One Sports since 2022, and get this, he’s called some serious games. We’re talking NFL London matchups, the high-stakes Thanksgiving Day games, Christmas Day showdowns, and even key late-season contests. That’s big-time experience right there, calling games that the entire league is watching. Before that, he was doing national play-by-play for college football on the Touchdown Radio Network, a gig he’s held since 2017, and even has studio host experience dating back to 2016. For the past 14 years, he was the senior reporter for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and for the last six of those, he hosted the head coaches’ weekly radio show. He’s got the resume, he’s got the chops, and now he’s got the microphone for the Cardinals alongside analyst A.Q. Shipley.
When Can Fans Tune In?
Here’s the kicker: if you’re a Cardinals fan, you actually won’t hear Shadrick on the call for their preseason opener. That’s coming up this Thursday, the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers. NBC is nationally televising that one, and Paul Calvisi will be handling the radio play-by-play duties with Shipley. Shadrick’s first official game, his debut with the new crew, is slated for next week. He’ll be in the booth when the Cardinals take on the Las Vegas Raiders, also on a Thursday. After two decades of hearing Pasch and Wolfley together, it’s definitely going to be an adjustment for Cardinals fans. That comfort zone is gone, and while Shadrick brings a ton of experience, replacing such a long-standing voice is never easy. It’s a new chapter, and fans will be listening closely when he finally gets started against the Raiders next week.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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