Sean McDonough officially named new Monday Night Football play-by-play man

Sean McDonough is getting a promotion from ESPN as he has been named the new play-by-play man for Monday Night Football.

In the 46 season history of Monday Night Football, four men have had the honor of being able to be the lead play-by-play announcer for the weekly telecast of the NFL during its run on both ABC and ESPN. Now, there will be a fifth name added to that list.

The Worldwide Leader named Sean McDonough, who has spent 22 years with the network during two separate stints, will be the new play-by-play voice for MNF beginning with the 2016 season. He replaces Mike Tirico, who had been the voice of MNF since its move to ESPN before the 2006 season.

In a press release announcing the move, Sean McDonough said that MNF holds a special place for him based on memories with his late father, former Boston Globe columnist Will McDonough:

"“One of my favorite memories of my childhood was watching Monday Night Football with my Dad, who I know is smiling down on me today. I am humbled and deeply honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the most iconic franchise in the history of sports television.”"

McDonough, who has been one of the lead college football and basketball announcers for both ABC and ESPN since returning to the networks in 2000, will continue to call college basketball games once the MNF schedule comes to an end.

His first game will be on August 7th during the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio (being televised by ESPN instead of NBC this season due to the Olympics being held). Tirico, incidentally, will be part of that Olympic coverage as his move to NBC Sports was also announced on Monday.

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