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Detroit Lions radio guy Jim Brandstatter told by WJR-AM he's fired

Jim Brandstatter, 68, has been working in media in the state since 1975.

There'll be a new voice over the airwaves for Detroit Lions broadcasts this season.

Jim Brandstatter, the long-time radio color commentator for the team, posted a message on Twitter on Tuesday morning, saying he's been fired by WJR-AM (760).

"A quick heads up guys. This morning, WJR let me know they were going a different direction and terminated me from their Lions broadcasts. I had a great run of 31 years. I can’t thank Lion fans enough for spending time with me on all those Sundays. #ILoveDetroit #OnePride," Brandstatter wrote.

A voice message left for WJR general manager Tom O'Brien has not be returned.

An email to the Lions was not immediately returned on Tuesday.

The former Michigan offensive lineman under Bo Schembechler is also the radio play-by-play voice of the Wolverines and has pulled double duty on football weekends for decades.

Brandstatter, 68, has been working in media in the state since 1975. He joined the staff at WDIV-TV in 1980, when he began hosting "Michigan Replay," the football recap show.

His association with WJR dates back to the 1980s when he was the color analyst for U-M football along with Frank Beckman. The duo also worked Lions games until 1989, when WWJ-AM (950) became the Lions' flagship station and Mark Champion was hired to join Brandstatter.

In 2005, Dan Miller replaced Champion, and the duo has worked together ever since.

Brandstatter is a two-time Michigan Sportscaster of the Year (2004, 2008).

Brandstatter's father, Art, was an All-American fullback at Michigan State. His wife is former WXYZ-TV anchor Robbie Timmons.

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