TAMPA, FL. - It’s the end of an era for a radio icon.

95.3 WDAE’s Ron Diaz has turned off the mic after a four decade career that spanned from rock n roll to the Super Bowl.

“It’s just been wild. It’s been so different,” said Diaz. “It’s hard to put into words the ride that it’s been.”

Diaz came up in the business as a rock radio host. His success took him to syndication. He turned to sports talk in 2003 at DAE. Since then, it’s been a pure love affair with Tampa sports fans.

“It’s great when somebody will call and they bring up a conversation that we had 12 years ago or just 12 days ago,” said Diaz. “There is a lot of loyalty and for that I am forever eternally grateful.”

Diaz has gotten every big guest. He’s interviewed hall of fame coaches like Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden. He’s gung out with a former president of the United States (the late George H. W. Bush) and even battled rock gods on the softball field.

“We played against Motley Crew, the game is about to start, Tommy Lee is nowhere to be found,” Diaz recalled. “Then all of a sudden here comes this helicopter; Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear land on second base and then the game starts.”

But through all the craziness of the “radio biz” Diaz has stayed true to his craft.

“Two hours before every show he is here, if not earlier than that,” said Jay Recher, executive producer of “The Ron and Ian Show”. “He’s doing research, man. It doesn’t matter what sport it is, what team it is. He understands the entertainment value, but he understands the education value as well.”

While so many will miss listening to Ron every day on their way home in the car, Ron is just happy he can jump in the car and go wherever he wants, whenever he wants.

“I know a lot of times my wife, Jen, and I will be out in the Rocky Mountains and we’ll think ‘oh god we have to leave in a couple of days’ and I’m thinking ‘I want to stay for a month, for two months’ and it’s just freedom,” said Diaz, who enjoys the outdoors in his leisure time.

 But Diaz won’t just focus on much deserved R&R. He is looking to do something else – help those who battle an addiction.  Diaz is a recovering alcoholic and sober for some 11 years. He’s determined to be there for others.

“If I can touch one person today who thinks they have a problem with alcohol or drugs, I am a great example of someone who was able to get sober,” said Diaz.

Diaz’s audience and message will change. But he still has one more sound-bite for sports fans.

“Sports are entertainment. It’s an escape from real life. Enjoy!”

And above all keep rooting hard and keep on rockin’.

“Rock on and paddle away into the sunset,” said Diaz.