Jim Brandstatter "blinded" by Detroit Lions / WJR ouster

"I called the age They did not know, "Brandstatter told the Free Press," they were not aware, we were all blinded today. "[1] 9659010] This included Radio Game Announcer and Fox Sports Director 2, Dan Miller, who was traveling by plane and who had been a Brandstatter partner since 2005. After Brandstatter spoke with WJR, he called his wife, Robbie, then Miller. 19659010] "Dan Miller was not aware either," Brandstatter said. "I caught him just briefly, he was traveling, he was flying, so I wanted to call him first because he's a good friend and a dear man and a player." par excellence, and he and I had a good time making the games, and I wanted to call him and let him know the first thing because I did not know he knew it.

More : Jim Brandstatter is no longer the Detroit Lions radio Twitter crestfallen

"And apparently, I quickly got out of the phone when I had finished the first WJR call. … I got to his voice mail and he called me right away and apparently (WJR program director Mike Wheeler) called him immediately when he came out of the meeting with (General Manager from WJR Tom O & # 39; Brien). So, he had just discovered it no more than a minute or two after I discovered it. "

A message left for Miller was not immediately returned, but he posted on Twitter:" Today is a very difficult day. (Brandstatter) as a brother and most of all, he is fantastic in his job, one of the best in the NFL, I am so lucky to have spent 13 years of Sunday with him. "

It all started Tuesday morning when Brandstatter thought he was calling Wheeler to discuss a pro forma contract renewal." He had signed a five-year contract providing for a renewal option after the first two years

"Then I called them and I was ready to say: "We will do the same for the next three years," because that goes with their contract with the Lions, "said Brandstatter. "So, to stay competitive, I said," Send me the new copy, no changes, we are good. "

" And they said, "Well, Jim, we decided to go in a different direction." And immediately my antennas went up. And they said, "So we will not renew ourselves." And I said, "It was a bit shocking to me." So, I said, because I understood it in my mind, so I said, "Wait a minute. Does that mean you kick me? As if you were finishing my contract? Since I'm not going to play Lions games anymore? "

" And they said: "Yeah." "

" And I said: "Wow. Thank you goodbye. ""

Just like that, Brandstatter's 31-year-old Lions have collapsed.

O & # 39; Brien told the Free Press that Brandstatter, 68, will be replaced as a color commentator by Lomas Brown, a former Lions Pro-Bowl offensive lineman. O & # 39; Brien said that although "Jim was excellent," the station wanted to go in a different direction in his third year as the team's flagship.

Brandstatter eventually called Wheeler. But he never received an explanation as to why WJR was terminating his contract.

"Never anything, nobody about my job performance," he said. "That's the first thing you're worried about .I was slipping in? Did not I do the work? And I talked to a few people that I respect who listen to radio, who listen to the broadcasts, and they said, "No, you were on top." You were as good as you were … You did not identify people, you did not commit no mistakes. "That even a little supported the spirits.

" And I realized that JR could have a different program than what they wanted. "I can not speak for them. "

Brandstatter, a former Michigan offensive lineman, will continue as a radio announcer for the Wolverines. He has been on the air for UM games since 1979.

As for Lions games, Brandstatter is not sure what he will feel when looking at the team that he has been watching in the cabin on Sunday since 1987.

"I don" t know, "he said." I've thought about that. I guess until it happens, I will not know it. Because all my adult life, I do not remember not doing that. So now it's going to be my first time not to do that, and my Sundays are off. … So, I will discover this first regular season game.

"The only regret I will ever have, and I will say it until my last day, to do Lions football, is that I've never had the # 39. opportunity to do them in a Super Bowl.And believe me, when they arrive and when they will gain one, and hope it is in my life, I will be the first to encourage and to be on their side. "

Contact Carlos Monarrez on cmonarrez @ freepress .com or follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!