Marathon Dan: Roan, who’s retiring next week, has done it all in 38 years at WGN

Dan Roan, pictured in 1992, joined WGN in 1984. His first assignment was covering a tennis tournament at the UIC Pavilion that included John McEnroe. (WGN)

Dan Roan isn’t one to make himself the story. In 38 years as WGN’s lead sports anchor, he has preferred telling the stories of others. But during “The Nine O’Clock News” on Nov. 22, 1987, Roan played an unwitting role in a mystery that remains unsolved.

While Roan was talking over the highlights from the Bears’ victory against the Lions, WGN’s signal was hijacked. TV screens went black, and suddenly, Max Headroom appeared.