There will be a new voice over the airwaves for Detroit Lions broadcasts this season .

WJR-AM general manager Tom O'Brien told the Free Press on Tuesday that Jim Brandstatter will be replaced by the color commentator by Lions Pro-Bowl offensive lineman Lomas Brown.

O'Brien said that while "Jim

Brown, who played 18 seasons in the NFL, including his first 11 with the Lions, should "offer a unique perspective," According to O'Brien

Brandstatter, the long-time radio color commentator for the team, posted a message on Twitter on Tuesday morning, saying he has been let go.

"A quick heads up guys. morning, WJR let me know they were going to have a different direction and ended up in my Lions broadcasts I had a great run of 31 years I can not thank Lion fans for my time Sundays. #ILoveDetroit # OnePride, "Brandstatter wrote.

The Lions released a statement on Tuesday, saying: "As a color analyst for the Detroit Lions Radio Network for more than a few decades, Jim Brandstatter helped bring together Lions fans everywhere. His unwavering passion and knowledge for the game of football, both as a broadcaster and as a player, were instrumental to our radio broadcasts. We sincerely thank Jim for his contribution to the team for the positive impact. "

Brown, 55, has television experience as an educator ESPN contributor and an analyst Lions preseason telecasts. He still has a presence in the subway Detroit area though his last game played a Lion was in the 1995 season.

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The former lineman offensive lineman under Bo Schembechler is also the play-by-play voice radio of the Wolverines and has pulled double duty on football weekends for decades.

Brandstatter, 68, has been working in the media since 1975. He joined the staff at WDIV-TV in 1980, when he began hosting "Michigan Replay," the football recap show.

His association with WJR dates back to the 1980s when he was the color analyst for U-M football along with Frank Beckman. The duo also worked Lions games until 1989, when WWJ-AM (950) became the Lions' flagship station and Mark Champion was hired to join Brandstatter.

In 2005, Dan Miller replaced Champion, and the duo has been working together ever since 19659010 Brandstatter is a two-time Michigan Sportscaster of the Year (2004, 2008).

Brandstatter's father, Art, was an All -American fullback at Michigan State. His wife is train WXYZ-TV Anchor Robbie Timmons

Contact Kirkland Crawford: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.