Greg Papa
Encyclopedia
Greg Papa is an American sportscaster
working in the San Francisco Bay Area
. He has been broadcasting for most of the Bay Area professional sports franchises for 21 years, covering the Oakland Raiders
, Oakland Athletics
, Golden State Warriors
and San Francisco Giants
.
Currently, he is best known as the radio play-by-play caller for the Raiders, and the host of Chronicle Live
on CSN Bay Area
. He is not related to New York Giants
radio broadcaster, Bob Papa
.
, Papa was a member of the Indiana Pacers
' television and radio broadcasting team from 1984 to 1986. Then, he moved west and from 1986 to 1997, he became the radio announcer for the Golden State Warriors. From 1997 to 2000, Papa became the lead announcer on the San Antonio Spurs
telecasts. During this span, he was also the television play-by-play announcer for the Oakland A's with Ray Fosse
from 1989 to 2003.
. His work is very much in the tradition of his predecessor, Bill King
. Like King, his touchdown calls are punctuated by: "TOUCHDOWN, RRRRAID-ERS!!!"
Papa's best calls to date arguably are: Tyrone Wheatley
's 26-yard run in the Raiders 1999
finale against the Kansas City Chiefs
at Arrowhead Stadium
("Wheatley won't go down!!!") along with describing the events during the Tuck Rule
game, when the Raiders seemingly had won a 2001
playoff game during a snow storm at New England
after forcing a late fumble, only to see referee Walt Coleman
reverse the call after consulting instant replay. The Patriots went on to win the historic, controversial contest in overtime.
Papa called Sebastian Janikowski's game winning Field Goal on October 19, 2008 in the Raiders 16-13 overtime win against the New York Jets.
"To win the game, This going to be a blast, Condo will snap, Lechler will hold, here's your winner the snap it's down, he's got up he may have distance he's got the ACCURACY, THE RRRRAI-DERS HAVE WON ON A 57-YARD FIELD GOAL BY JANIKOWSKI.
"Watkins out right singled up with Burnett, Gradkowski, they blitz Burnett, here's Gradkowski now gonna to throw for the endzone it is CAUGHT, TOUCHDOWN RRRRAID-ERS!!!! Louis Murphy in the back corner of the endzone with nine seconds to go" - Papa's call on Bruce Gradkowski game-winning Touchdown pass to Louis Murphy's against Pittsburgh on December 6 in the Raiders 27-24 win.
. He occasionally announces several of the Giants' games on TV and radio when Jon Miller
is on assignment at ESPN
.
When Dave Flemming
's microphone went dead when the ball was in the air for what turned out to be Barry Bonds
' 715th career home run on May 28, , Papa took over the broadcast, apologized to listeners, and explained what happened on the field.
football and basketball teams. He has also done San Jose Stealth
and San Francisco Dragons
games.
Papa is also currently host of Chronicle Live, a nightly Bay Area sports talk show covering all Bay Area sports. He was also the play-by-play announcer for Hardball 6: 2000 Edition.
with his wife, Angela, and his four children: Alexandria, Danielle, Erika and Nicolas. His brother, the late Gary Papa
, was a long time sportscaster for WPVI in Philadelphia.
His son, Derek Papa, is a member of the comedy group Dingoman Productions, which created the independent comedy The Legend of Action Man
.
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
working in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. He has been broadcasting for most of the Bay Area professional sports franchises for 21 years, covering the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
Currently, he is best known as the radio play-by-play caller for the Raiders, and the host of Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live is a television sports talk show that airs on Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area at 5PM PST/PDT and reairing normally at 11PM on the same network, and midnight on Comcast Sportsnet California...
on CSN Bay Area
CSN Bay Area
Comcast SportsNet Bay Area is a regional sports network that serves cable outlets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as other parts of Northern California, Central California, Southern Oregon, and Nevada.-History:...
. He is not related to New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
radio broadcaster, Bob Papa
Bob Papa
Bob Papa is an American sportscaster. Papa is employed by NFL Network, HBO, and the New York Giants.-Biography:Papa grew up in Dumont, New Jersey and graduated from Bergen Catholic High School in nearby Oradell...
.
Career highlights
After graduating from Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, Papa was a member of the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
' television and radio broadcasting team from 1984 to 1986. Then, he moved west and from 1986 to 1997, he became the radio announcer for the Golden State Warriors. From 1997 to 2000, Papa became the lead announcer on the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
telecasts. During this span, he was also the television play-by-play announcer for the Oakland A's with Ray Fosse
Ray Fosse
Raymond Earl Fosse is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was drafted in the first round of the 1965 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians. Fosse also holds the distinction of being the Indians' first ever draft pick, as 1965 was the first year of the...
from 1989 to 2003.
Oakland Raiders
Papa is the current play-by-play announcer for the Raiders on KFRC 1550 am radio, alongside his color commentator, former Raider coach Tom FloresTom Flores
Thomas R. "Tom" Flores is a retired American football quarterback and coach. Flores and Mike Ditka are the only two people in the National Football League history to win a Super Bowl as a player, as an assistant coach, and as a head coach...
. His work is very much in the tradition of his predecessor, Bill King
Bill King
* For the British author and games designer see, William King * For the British naval officer, yachtsman and author, see Commander Bill King*For the Australian rugby league footballer, see Bill King ...
. Like King, his touchdown calls are punctuated by: "TOUCHDOWN, RRRRAID-ERS!!!"
Papa's best calls to date arguably are: Tyrone Wheatley
Tyrone Wheatley
Tyrone Anthony Wheatley is the running backs coach at Syracuse University and a former professional American football player who played 10 seasons in the National Football League and was one of the most successful high school and collegiate athletes in Metropolitan Detroit history...
's 26-yard run in the Raiders 1999
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
finale against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
at Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs....
("Wheatley won't go down!!!") along with describing the events during the Tuck Rule
The Tuck (NFL game)
The 2002 AFC divisional playoff game, known to some as the "Tuck Rule Game" was the playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders. It took place on January 19, 2002 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, then the home stadium of the Patriots...
game, when the Raiders seemingly had won a 2001
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
playoff game during a snow storm at New England
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
after forcing a late fumble, only to see referee Walt Coleman
Walt Coleman
Walt Coleman is an American football official in the National Football League since the 1989 NFL season. He wears uniform number 65.- Personal :Coleman resides in Little Rock, Arkansas and is a sixth-generation family operator of Coleman Dairy....
reverse the call after consulting instant replay. The Patriots went on to win the historic, controversial contest in overtime.
Papa called Sebastian Janikowski's game winning Field Goal on October 19, 2008 in the Raiders 16-13 overtime win against the New York Jets.
"To win the game, This going to be a blast, Condo will snap, Lechler will hold, here's your winner the snap it's down, he's got up he may have distance he's got the ACCURACY, THE RRRRAI-DERS HAVE WON ON A 57-YARD FIELD GOAL BY JANIKOWSKI.
"Watkins out right singled up with Burnett, Gradkowski, they blitz Burnett, here's Gradkowski now gonna to throw for the endzone it is CAUGHT, TOUCHDOWN RRRRAID-ERS!!!! Louis Murphy in the back corner of the endzone with nine seconds to go" - Papa's call on Bruce Gradkowski game-winning Touchdown pass to Louis Murphy's against Pittsburgh on December 6 in the Raiders 27-24 win.
San Francisco Giants
In 2008, Papa hosted 35 of the 50 scheduled editions of "Giants Pregame Live" and all 65 of the "Giants Postgame Live" shows on CSN Bay AreaCSN Bay Area
Comcast SportsNet Bay Area is a regional sports network that serves cable outlets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as other parts of Northern California, Central California, Southern Oregon, and Nevada.-History:...
. He occasionally announces several of the Giants' games on TV and radio when Jon Miller
Jon Miller
Jon Wallace Miller is an American sportscaster, known primarily for his broadcasts of Major League Baseball. He is currently employed as a play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants. He was also a baseball announcer on ESPN until the network chose not to renew his contract following the...
is on assignment at ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
.
When Dave Flemming
Dave Flemming
David Braxton "Dave" Flemming is an American sportscaster and television personality, currently working as a play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball as well as the Stanford Cardinal football and basketball teams.Flemming grew up in Alexandria, Virginia,...
's microphone went dead when the ball was in the air for what turned out to be Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
' 715th career home run on May 28, , Papa took over the broadcast, apologized to listeners, and explained what happened on the field.
Other
Papa also does work for CSN California, notably for broadcasts of the California Golden BearsCalifornia Golden Bears
The California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley...
football and basketball teams. He has also done San Jose Stealth
San Jose Stealth
The San Jose Stealth were a member of the National Lacrosse League, the professional box lacrosse league of North America from 2004 until 2009. They played at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, which is also the home of the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AFL's San Jose SaberCats. They relocated to San...
and San Francisco Dragons
San Francisco Dragons
The San Francisco Dragons were a professional field lacrosse team based in San Francisco and San Jose, California. From 2006–2008, they played in Major League Lacrosse and they ceased operations before the 2009 season due to the economic situation in the United States.-Franchise history:The San...
games.
Papa is also currently host of Chronicle Live, a nightly Bay Area sports talk show covering all Bay Area sports. He was also the play-by-play announcer for Hardball 6: 2000 Edition.
Personal
Greg resides in Danville, CaliforniaDanville, California
The Town of Danville is located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, California. It is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that uses "town" in its name instead of "city". The population was 42,039 in 2010. Danville is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Oakland and San...
with his wife, Angela, and his four children: Alexandria, Danielle, Erika and Nicolas. His brother, the late Gary Papa
Gary Papa
Gary Papa was a sportscaster with WPVI-TV in Philadelphia from April 1981 to June 2009 and was the 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. sportcaster. He joined the station as a weekend sportscaster and was promoted to the 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. newscasts in 1991, and was named sports director one...
, was a long time sportscaster for WPVI in Philadelphia.
His son, Derek Papa, is a member of the comedy group Dingoman Productions, which created the independent comedy The Legend of Action Man
The Legend of Action Man
The Legend of Action Man is a 2010 film created by the comedy group Dingoman Productions. The story/screenplay was written by Derek Papa and Andy Young, based on a short film they made in high school...
.