Greg Papa, the radio voice of the 49ers and a longtime on-air host at KNBR (680 AM), is stepping away from his broadcasting duties while undergoing treatment for cancer, he announced on Friday.
Papa did not specify the type of cancer he is battling in a statement released by the radio station but said he is fully focused on his treatment and looking forward to a full recovery.
“Thanks to everyone for your prayers and good wishes as I begin this fight,” Papa said.
Mike Holer, KNBR’s program director, read Papa’s statement on the air at 10 a.m. at the beginning of Papa’s regularly scheduled show with his co-host, Greg Silver. John Dickinson filled in for Papa on the show Friday morning.
“Everyone here at The Sports Leader is sending positive thoughts and wishes your way, Greg, for a full and speedy recovery,” Holer added. “We look forward to having you back behind the mic as soon as you’re ready.”
Papa has covered sports across the Bay Area for nearly four decades, beginning as the Warriors’ radio play-by-play voice in the 1980s and ’90s. He called A’s games on TV in the 1990s and early 2000s, then crossed the bay to call Giants games on TV and radio in the mid-2000s.
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He has been the 49ers’ radio voice since replacing Ted Robinson in 2019. Papa had previously spent 21 years as the radio voice of the Raiders before being dismissed in 2018.
“The 49ers family extends our unwavering love and support to Greg Papa and his family following his recent cancer diagnosis,” the 49ers said in a statement. “We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the radio booth as the ‘voice of the 49ers’ whenever he is ready.”
Papa remains a figure on pre- and post-game shows for NBC Sports Bay Area across Warriors, Giants and 49ers coverage as a substitute host.
Neither KNBR nor the 49ers have said who will take over play-by-play duties, but Guy Haberman is expected to step into the in Papa’s absence. The 49ers’ first preseason game is Aug. 9 against the Broncos, and they open the regular season Sept. 7 in Seattle.
Reporter Cam Inman contributed to this story.