His recovery continues. Papa still needs regular oxygen and is undergoing specialized pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation, according to reports. Doctors remain uncertain how much lung capacity he will regain.
Papa told SFGATE he has gotten “remarkably better quickly,” but he does not yet know whether his lungs can handle a full three-hour football broadcast. His condition has already ruled out calling the 49ers’ season-opening game against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.
Still, Papa plans to resume his full duties as the 49ers’ radio play-by-play announcer early in the 2026 NFL season, NBC Sports Bay Area reported.
Papa continued co-hosting his KNBR show from a home studio while receiving chemotherapy. A friend also established a fundraising campaign to help Papa’s family cover expenses not fully covered by insurance, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
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