RIP John Saunders

[texasdaking88]

John Saunders, one of the familiar on-air faces of ESPN for nearly 30 years, has died. He was 61.

Saunders hosted studio and play-by-play programming. He covered college football, basketball and the NHL for the network, in addition to anchoring SportsCenter. He was also host of The Sports Reporters.

Born in Canada, Saunders was an all-star defenseman in the junior hockey leagues of Montreal and played at Western Michigan before becoming one of the most prominent broadcasters of his time.

Saunders was a founding member of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and served on the board of directors.

"John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades," said John Skipper, president of ESPN and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, in a statement. "His wide range of accomplishments across numerous sports and championship events is among the most impressive this industry has ever seen. More importantly, John was a beloved and devoted family man who cared deeply about people and causes, as evidenced by his long-standing efforts as a passionate board member for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

"He was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time."

Saunders joined ESPN in December 1986 to anchor SportsCenter. But he became a voice on college basketball, the WNBA and hosted ESPN's coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs from 1993-2004. He also worked on coverage of the World Series and Major League Baseball All-Star game.

Saunders is survived by wife Wanda and daughters Aleah and Jenna.

2016 is fucked up man.. R. I. P.

 

[MR.CJ]

Rip

 

[Chi-Town Bully]

Woke up early every Sunday for the Sports Reporters. RIP to the man

 

[Young Gunner]

RIP

 

[northside7]

Shocking news. RIP.

 

[aneed123]

Damn Stuart Scott now him .... Rip

 

[eastbay510]

How? I don't remember hearing he had any health problems... He was just doing the NFL post games on ESPN last season.

2016 continues...

 

[detcatinva]

one of the GOATS

 

[Figo]

RIP.

Sports Analyst Legend

 

[5th Letter]

Smh rip.

 

[1CK1S]

Damn it's crazy didn't know he has been sick for years

Rest in peace

 

[grYmes]

Damn, first Stewart Scott now him (hoping Mort pulls through). R.I.P.

 

[Ghostdenithegawd]

It really sucks when these guys pass because you hear there voices stuck in your head forever like dam I've been going to sleep to espn for all my life it so weird

 

[#1hiphopjunki3]

Sad to hear. Was listening to ESPN radio on the way from work and heard Bomani and Bob Ley talking about it.

The Sports reporters lead chair is cursed or some shit. Dick Schapp died out of the blue if I'm not mistaken while he hosted just like John.

Both were good reporters

 

[playmaker88]

came at of nowhere

 

[Smokey Tha Bandit]

crazy, R.I.P.

 

[MallyG]

Sad!!

He truly came off as one pf those people where everyone liked/loved him.

RIP Mr. SAUNDERS

 

[Mr_Vicodin81G]

RIP

Actually liked hearing him compared 2 most of the fools on ESPN

 

[thegreatunknown]

RIP

John Saunders, Stu Scott, Bryan Burwell and Ralph Wiley are all gone.

Only a few good ones left...

 

[MD_PROPER]

One the best to do it..RIP