Bay Area broadcasting icon Greg Papa is set to make an earlier-than-expected return to the San Francisco 49ers radio booth, stepping back into the team’s play-by-play role while continuing treatment for cancer. The longtime KNBR host and voice of the 49ers will rejoin the broadcast beginning with San Francisco’s December 28 regular-season matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Papa is also scheduled to call the season finale against the Seattle Seahawks the following week, reuniting with longtime color analyst Tim Ryan. The announcement came Wednesday during KNBR’s Papa & Silver midday show. The news was delivered through a lighthearted football-themed skit featuring 49ers director of broadcast partnerships Bob Sargent.
“I have just completed paperwork with the league, and we have officially activated Greg Papa off the ‘NFI’ list,” Sargent said. “So his 21-day practice window has officially been opened.”
Papa’s co-host, Greg Silver, celebrated the moment on air while confirming the details of Papa’s return to the booth. The news marks a significant milestone in Papa’s recovery after he was diagnosed with a form of leukemia in July.
Papa immediately stepped away from KNBR’s daily programming and was sidelined from his 49ers duties during training camp. At the time, his son Derek Papa — also a KNBR host — said it was unlikely his father would be on the air at any point during the 2025 NFL season.
Progress since then has exceeded expectations. Papa returned to KNBR’s four-hour midday show in September and has contributed remotely to 49ers-related content throughout the season. However, he had not returned to the radio play-by-play role, with the team rotating five different broadcasters to fill in during his absence.
Speaking publicly Wednesday for the first time, Papa addressed his recent medical updates. Testing at UC San Francisco shows his cancer is now in remission.
“I’m healthy,” Papa said. “I could not go through all the people at UCSF, where I was yesterday, that have basically saved my life and put me on a course to live my life again, as normal as I can.”
While emphasizing that his battle is not yet over, Papa used familiar football language to describe his mindset. He noted he has not undergone chemotherapy in two months and is awaiting clearance for a bone marrow transplant.
“I’m not running victory formation yet,” Papa said. “But I’m strong enough to do this. I’m strong enough mentally and physically to sit and prepare.”
KNBR confirmed that Guy Haberman will remain part of the radio team for the rest of the season. Haberman is the current play-by-play voice. Papa has been cleared to travel for potential playoff games. He said he hopes for a top NFC seed. That outcome would keep San Francisco at home.
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