WWE News: Ring Announcer Lilian Garcia To Leave Company After 15 Years To Care For Ailing Father

As most WWE fans have noticed, longtime ring announcer Lilian Garcia hasn’t been around much lately. It’s led to speculation that Garcia has decided to give up on her WWE career and leave the company. After many rumors have circulated, Lilian finally took to Instagram on Monday afternoon to address her future with the WWE.

“I’ve been getting a lot of tweets and messages asking where I have been and if I’m coming back to WWE, so I wanted to let you know what has been going on and why I have been silent. I’ve been through so many emotions lately that they literally have kept me up at night. As most of you know, my father has been battling with two different types of cancer. He hasn’t been doing as well as we hoped, THEREFORE, I will not be traveling weekly with WWE any longer. I will be looking to take on work closer to where I live so that I don’t have to be on the road weekly away from him. He truly needs me, and I need this time with him. I ask that you please continue prayers for my father and my family.
It has been a magical 15-year career at WWE, and WWE Universe, I can’t thank you enough for all your love and support! I felt you every step of the way! I also want to thank the amazing WWE Superstars, whom many of them have become my friends! You are an incredible group of people with SO much talent! It has been such an honor to introduce you to the ring and watch your superior athleticism week after week. Thank you to the crew & production staff on the road and in the offices. I’ve seen you work so hard! You really are the glue that keeps it all together!”

“Lastly, thank you WWE for this incredible ride that I never wanted to get off. I’ve had experiences beyond my imagination. I thank you for not only allowing me to use my voice as an announcer but also sharing it to sing around the world. What an honor! I will cherish the memories forever.”

“This is not goodbye as I hope you all will follow me on social media to share in my next chapter. I thank you & I love you!!”

Garcia began with WWE in 1999 and has worked on and off with the company for 15 years. Lilian left the company for a brief two-year stint in 2009 to focus on her blossoming music career. Garcia began producing an album with Grammy-nominated producer, Oh Hush! and appeared at the 2011 Grammy Awards which was featured the following night on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Longtime WWE Announcer Leaving Company https://t.co/rZSeT2nwWz

— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) August 1, 2016

According to Black Sports Online, 22-year-old JoJo Offerman will take over the ring announcing duties full-time as Lilian Garcia tends to her sick father. JoJo made her debut with WWE in 2013 on E!‘s Total Divas and appeared in the ring later that summer. WWE then moved her to NXT later in 2013 where she eventually became the ring announcer for the WWE’s developmental brand.

Lilian Garcia Announces She Is Leaving WWE https://t.co/yGurHbm3ZO

— Wrestling-Edge (@WrestlingEdge) August 1, 2016

It’s a sad day to have to say goodbye to Lilian Garcia, especially under these circumstances. Garcia was wonderful at her job, loved what she did and loved pleasing fans. Lilian, we are all praying that your father’s health improves and that you get to spend every moment that you can with him. Thank you for everything you’ve done at WWE. You will be missed.

[Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images]