BAY AREA, CA — Radio announcer Greg Papa has been hospitalized again for heart failure.
Papa, 63, was hospitalized on Sept. 7 because of advanced heart failure, according to reports.
The San Francisco 49ers' radio play-by-play announcer underwent a bone marrow transplant earlier this year while battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
In addition to the transplant, he survived a 78-day hospitalization, pneumonia, and two collapsed lungs.
Papa said the transplant worsened the cardio myopathy he suffers from, according to reports.
His health kept him from a scheduled comeback appearance as an analyst on Thursday's 49ers pregame and postgame shows, according to The Standard.
Papa announced earlier this year that he was cancer-free, but complications forced him into intensive care and left doctors uncertain about how much lung capacity he would regain.
Setting his sights on an early-season return, Papa briefly returned to the hospital July 20 after new medication caused his blood pressure to fall. Doctors released him the following day.
The broadcaster used oxygen and was undergoing specialized pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation, according to reports. Papa said his condition had improved quickly, but he did not know whether his lungs can sustain a three-hour football broadcast.
His recovery ruled out calling the 49ers' season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Papa, nevertheless, planned to resume his full play-by-play duties early in the 2026 NFL season.
NBC Sports Bay Area in August announced that Papa would appear on its 49ers pregame and postgame shows throughout the season. He said, at the time, he would continue his weekly appearances on the "49ers Talk" podcast, contribute to "49ers Now," and join KNTV's "Sports Sunday presented by Xfinity."
"Christian (McCaffrey) won the Comeback Player of the Year last year," Papa said on the podcast. "I'm not a player, but I want Comeback Performer of the Year."
Papa's comeback followed KNBR's decision to end his midday show with co-host Greg Silver. The station replaced the pair with John Lund, who took over the weekday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. time slot.
Papa missed much of the 49ers' 2025 season while receiving treatment, but he returned for the regular-season finale. He also continued hosting his KNBR show from a home studio while undergoing chemotherapy.
The veteran broadcaster now hopes his recovering lungs will allow his familiar voice to return to the 49ers' radio booth.
MORE:
Legendary Bay Area Broadcaster Laid Off Following Cancer Battle: Report
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