John Saunders, one of the most trusted voices at ESPN, is dead at 61. Adam Schefter tweeted shortly after 11 a.m. EST: “Sickened and saddened to hear of loss of our colleague and friend, John Saunders. What a nice man. What a great man.”
Saunders, a Canadian who played college hockey at Western Michigan, started at ESPN in 1986 and was best known for his Sports Reporters hosting job and studio work for college football. He was also a founding board member of the Jimmy V Foundation.
From ESPN:
“John Saunders represented everything that was good in a human being. He was all about family and helping people,” said Dick Vitale, a longtime colleague of Saunders. “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’s survived by his wife, Wanda, and two daughters.
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Muhammad Ali and Gordie Howe in one week. My childhood is officially over! Two of my heroes!
— John P Saunders (@johnreporters) June 10, 2016
