Husker broadcaster Greg Sharpe passes away after year-long fight with pancreatic cancer

University of Nebraska football and baseball broadcaster Greg Sharpe passed away this weekend after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Sharpe was the Voice of the Huskers for 17 years.

Fans from across the state will remember him for his passionate radio calls, including a Hail Mary touchdown in 2013 against Northwestern.

Hear his memorable call of the play, along with his longtime broadcast partner Matt Davison:

The Sharpe family released a statement on Saturday announcing Sharpe had died.

“We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Greg on Friday. A wonderful husband, father, brother, friend and of course broadcaster. While his passion and energy on the call of Husker football and baseball brought joy to so many for the past 17 seasons, it comforts us to know that his legacy will live on through these same moments that he narrated and through the relationships that he built.

“While the public knew him for his booming voice and infectious personality, those closest to him knew him for his loyalty and dedication to them.

The statement also said Sharpe, who was 61 years old, received an overwhelming amount of support as he battled his diagnosis.

“Over the last 12 months Greg has fought a very public battle with pancreatic cancer. Even though it was a grim diagnosis at the time, Greg chose to live and not to fear. He leaned into his faith, family and of course his professional calling of broadcasting Husker athletics. Without the support from the University of Nebraska, Playfly Sports and of course the best fans in college athletics, Husker Nation, he may not have been able to continue to fight and live the way that he did.

“The love shown to him during this difficult time truly touched Greg and our family. We are forever grateful to Husker fans everywhere for the letters, gifts and of course prayers. We are all better for having had Greg in our lives.”

Earlier this year, Sharpe shared his story about his fight with stage four pancreatic cancer with Nebraska Public Media.

In his last live broadcast on the Huskers Radio Network, Nebraska football became bowl eligible for the first time in seven seasons, spanning eight calendar years.

Listen to Sharpe's account of the Husker football postseason drought coming to an end:

For his last baseball broadcast, the Cornhuskers won the Big Ten Conference Tournament for the first time ever.

Listen to his call of the last out against Penn State to win the Conference crown:

Director of Athletics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Troy Dannen expressed his condolences to Sharpe's family.

“On behalf of everyone in the Nebraska Athletic Department, I would like to share our deepest condolences with the family of Greg Sharpe," he wrote in a statement. "This is a tough day for everyone. Not only those who were close to Greg and those who had the opportunity to work with him, but also for Husker fans who have fond memories of Greg’s calls of iconic moments in Nebraska history.

"Greg was an incredible person and was a friend to everyone. Simply put, he defined what it meant to be a Husker, and he will always be a Husker.”