Jim Riebandt, the Bears’ public address announcer since 1982, is retiring.
The team made the announcement Wednesday and will honor him in their Dec. 22 game against the Chiefs, the home finale.
“For most of the time that the Bears have been at Soldier Field, Jim has been there for Bears fans,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. “He has expertly conveyed the excitement of the in-stadium experience with professionalism, and, of course, great pipes.”
Riebandt is probably best known for announcing there is a timeout and taking a long pause — causing fans to shout back and ask “Where?” — before saying: “on the field.”
A full-time lawyer, Riebandt is also the public address announcer at DePaul men’s basketball games.
