ESPN Host John Saunders Dies At 61
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The sports broadcasting world has lost one of its best and brightest.
John Saunders, who worked for ESPN for nearly 30 years, has died, the network announced Wednesday. He was 61. The cause of his death was not immediately reported.
"John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades," John Skipper, president of ESPN and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, said in a statement. "His wide range of accomplishments across numerous sports and championship events is among the most impressive this industry has ever seen."
John's passion for his family, his nation, his favorite sport & the V foundation will stay with me forever. As will his kindness and support
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) August 10, 2016
Devastating doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling right now. John Saunders was a wonderful man, ultra pro & father figure.#RIP
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 10, 2016
Saunders joined ESPN in 1986. He did play-by-play on various sports, hosted NHL Stanley Cup Final coverage and World Series coverage and hosted studio shows for baseball, college football and college basketball. He also anchored SportsCenter and was the host of "The Sports Reporters" for the last 15 years. Saunders played the role of calm traffic cop on the panel show that features three sports journalists volleying opinions on the top sports news of the day.
"(Saunders) was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed," Skipper said. "Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time."
John was one of the first in the biz to tell me forget abt the naysayers and remember why you are where you are..bc you love the game..
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) August 10, 2016
Saunders was also a founding member of the board of directors for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a charity started by the network after former college basketball coach and ESPN announcer Jim Valvano died of cancer in 1993.
Statement from Susan Braun, CEO of The V Foundation, on the passing of John Saunders. pic.twitter.com/OlkgC2EywF
— The V Foundation (@TheVFoundation) August 10, 2016
ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale gushed about his longtime colleague.
"John Saunders represented everything that was good in a human being. He was all about family and helping people," Vitale said. "He was as good as it gets and he had deep loyalty and love for others. His work with The V Foundation was so special -- he loved Jimmy V and poured his heart and soul into the cause.
"He was always willing to share and give and he played a vital role in the success of helping so many. I can't believe this stunning and horrible news. He will be forever in our thoughts."
John Saunders: big talent, big laugh, big heart. We had a running joke about once being mistaken for each other. "But you're not Canadian!"
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 10, 2016
Saunders was born in Ontario, Canada, and played hockey at Western Michigan University from 1974-76.
He lived in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with his wife, Wanda. They had two daughters.
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