He had been NESN’s play-by-play voice for the past 19 seasons.
“I grew up a Bruins fan, and who had more fun than us over the last two decades?” he joked. “In cooperation with Bruins and NESN executives, I have decided that it is time for me to complete my shift as the Boston Bruins’ voice. I am no longer able to meet the standards I set for myself, to give the fans, players, Bruins organization, and NESN the best they deserve.”
Edwards, noted for his uncontrolled passion and downright violent announcing, didn’t hold back during his broadcasts and was as invested in the game as any broadcaster working any sport.
“I retire from broadcasting not with a heavy heart, but gratefulness for a 19-year-long joyride,” according to him. “My family’s love and support have helped shape my work and my search of happiness. I want to thank every member of the Bruins and the NESN for their support in helping me realize and live out a lifetime goal, high above the ice.”
Edwards is most known to national sports fans for his time at ESPN from 1991 to 2003, when he worked as a SportsCenter anchor and announcer for the NHL, MLS, the Little League World Series, the X Games, and the FIFA World Cup.
Back in February, he spoke with Chad Finn of the Boston Globe about the speech challenges that have plagued him in recent years, insisting he is still in “robust” condition.
“It doesn’t fit in any slot,” he informed Finn. “There have been a few possibilities, but they haven’t reached a definitive diagnosis after working on me for a year and a half. As you may guess, having a slowing in my speech is really annoying for me.”
Edwards, now 67, began his career in broadcasting while attending the University of New Hampshire, where he called hockey games for the college radio station. He subsequently went on to work as a sports anchor at WNEV-TV in Boston before moving to Bristol and eventually into the booth at NESN.
He joins Celtics announcer Mike Gorman as Boston sports figures calling it quits this week.
