Bill Mercer, a longtime Dallas announcer and broadcast journalist, passed away at the age of 99. The news was shared by Dallas Cowboys radio announcer Brad Sham, who expressed his sorrow: “Saddened to hear of the end of the journey at 99 for the fabulous Bill Mercer,” Sham said on X. “Truly the Godfather of DFW sports broadcasting, a national treasure, mentor, teacher, storyteller & friend. Race well run old friend. May his memory be for a blessing.”
Saddened to hear of the end of the journey at 99 for the fabulous Bill Mercer. Truly the Godfather of DFW sports broadcasting, a national treasure, mentor, teacher, storyteller & friend. Race well run old friend. May his memory be for a blessing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/tZsEnjH2Wr
— Brad Sham (@Boys_Vox) March 23, 2025
Over the years, Mercer broadcast a variety of sports, including Major League Baseball games for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, as well as for several Minor League teams. He also provided commentary for football and basketball at what is now the University of North Texas, and served as the primary announcer for the Dallas Texans (now the Kansas City Chiefs) during the early days of the American Football League. His work with the Dallas Cowboys included covering the famous Ice Bowl against the Green Bay Packers in 1967. From 1982 to 1987, Mercer was an announcer for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), which saw some of its most successful years during that time.
Mercer’s reporting extended beyond sports. In 1963, shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Mercer, then with KRLD in Dallas, was present at a press conference with Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin. It was Mercer who broke the news to Oswald that he had been formally charged, a moment that was captured on camera.
Bill Mercer broke the news to Lee Harvey Oswald on camera that he’d been charged with murdering the president, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. pic.twitter.com/4OVfNTUjvF
— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) March 23, 2025
Mercer will be remembered fondly for his contributions to broadcasting and journalism.
