“I Am Not Afraid to Die”: Veteran 49ers Announcer Speaks Out After KNBR Firing Amid Cancer Battle

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 22: An overview of a San Francisco 49ers helmet before the NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts on December 22, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 22 49ers at Colts EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon116251222053 ©IMAGO/Icon Sportswire

The past few months have been a tough ride for Greg Papa, both personally and professionally. The latest blow came at the beginning of this month after KNBR laid off the longtime Bay Area sportscaster. Papa, a cancer survivor, opened up about his journey and his goal ahead.

“Honestly, I’m not afraid to die,” he told NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai. “I went from terminal to terminated. Right now the goal is to get back into that booth and, you know, bellow out.”

On August 7, Cumulus Media, which owns KNBR, issued a statement confirming their decision to fire Papa and praising his decades of work at the station

“We’re not able to comment on the specifics of his departure, but we want to be clear about this: our respect and gratitude for everything Greg has given to KNBR, its listeners, and its team runs deep,” read a part of the statement.

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The 63-year-old broadcasting veteran, who has won the California Sportscaster of the Year award, was diagnosed with leukemia just over a year ago. He battled against lung failure, too, and was hospitalized. Only a month ago, he returned to his North Bay residence after a 78-day hospitalization that nearly cost him his life.

Papa has spent more than 40 years as a broadcaster and is the radio play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco 49ers. While he is no longer a part of KNBR, he looks forward to broadcasting again.

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