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[Vanillalite]

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/hannah-storm-announces-live-on-sportscenter-that-john-s-1785085661

John Saunders, one of ESPN’s most visible and versatile commentators and a founding member of the board of directors for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, has passed away. He was 61.

ESPN President John Skipper said: “John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades. 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.”

 

[dankir]

Goddamn, Hannah Storm always gotta report this sad shit on the death of her colleagues.

RIP

 

[rinse82]

Nooooo

Always represented Toronto

 

[Sanjuro]

Damn. He has been there forever.

 

[pxleyes]

Cant imagine what happened. He will be dearly missed.

 

[JMTHEFOX]

Damn, I didn't know he fell ill. I thought he was always healthy.

RIP

 

[AxelFoley]

Just got the news on my phone. Damn.

Peaceful Journey, John.

 

[Zackat]

RIP. One of my favorites on ESPN.

 

[blame space]

Dude was an institution. RIP

 

[Vanillalite]

Damn. He has been there forever.

I mean I can't remember a time when he wasn't there quite honestly.

 

[Violence Jack]

Fucking hell. I used to love waking up early and watching The Sports Reporters on Sunday mornings. He and Stuart Scott broadcasting from above.

RIP.

 

[richiek]

First Stuart Scott, now John Saunders. Damn.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

Wtf he was one of the best

Rip

 

[AngmarsKing701]

RIP

One of the best of their reporters/broadcasters.

2016 continues to take its toll.

 

[Sephzilla]

Holy shit I didn't even know he was ill

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

Damn, I didn't know he fell ill. I thought he was always healthy.

RIP

I don't think he was ill. TMZ says it was unexpected.

 

[EnlightenedMint]

Holy shit, RIP.

 

[ErnieMcCracken]

RIP. Always a classy guy. Not many left like him at ESPN anymore.

 

[n00bsauce87]

This was out of left field for me, RIP

 

[Jerbs]

Damn. RIP.

 

[Curufinwe]

2016 is just awful.

 

[NastyBook]

RIP

 

[SliceSabre]

Damn sucks that Hannah has had to be to one to do this twice.

RIP John, one of my favorite people to hear on ESPN.

 

[Ron Mexico]

One of the most underrated personalities on the network. Brutal.

 

[MyleMan1010]

On First Take, Stephen A said John had on and off health issues, but this seems unexpected. ESPN lost another one of the greats far too soon.

 

[jmdajr]

That sucks

R.I.P.

 

[JMTHEFOX]

I don't think he was ill. TMZ says it was unexpected.

Oh, I understand now. Still, I didn't expect him to be sick.

 

[CapitalismSucks DonkeyBalls]

On First Take, Stephen A said John had on and off health issues, but this seems unexpected. ESPN lost another one of the greats far too soon.

He has a history of depression. ESPN remaining so tight lipped on COD makes me think suicide.

 

[HariKari]

Could pick his voice out from hundreds. RIP.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Last tweet was less than a week ago. :/

Really don't care for ESPN but I always liked his input.

He has a history of depression. ESPN remaining so tight lipped on COD makes me think suicide.

Really shouldn't speculate like this.

 

[andycapps]

Man, RIP. Had a fantastic voice for radio/TV. Really enjoyed hearing him.

 

[Banana Aeon]

I'm still stunned. John Saunders was my favorite personality at ESPN, and now he's just...gone.

RIP

 

[DeathoftheEndless]

Very smart guy and I could listen to his voice all day. RIP.

 

[LifEndz]

Damn. He was my favorite personality on the sports reporters. This came out of nowhere for me? Was he suffering from some sickness/ailment or was it an accident? RIP.

 

[OriginofHysteria]

RIP, loved listening to him on Sportscenter, such a great personality. I played hockey against his nephew who played at UMass-Amherst, didn't know they were a big hockey family.

 

[Twenty7KVN]

Damn RIP.

 

[Twenty7KVN]

RIP, loved listening to him on Sportscenter, such a great personality. I played hockey against his nephew who played at UMass-Amherst, didn't know they were a big hockey family.

Yea he loved hockey he would talk about it every chance he got.

 

[everyday math]

Whoa holy shit.
RIP

 

[Ninja Scooter]

RIP. He did an awesome job of taking over "The Sports Reporters", which was one of my favorite shows growing up. Id get up extra early Sunday mornings to watch. Now he and Schapp are both gone.

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

what the hell, man. I don't watch ESPN much anymore at all, but Sports Reporters would still get a look sometimes. He did fine work. RIP.

 

[superdeluxe]

Damn. When I think About John Saunders I think about College Football Saturdays on ABC. For what..15-20 years?

 

[Piggus]

Damn... one of the best on the network. RIP

 

[Skiptastic]

RIP. He did an awesome job of taking over "The Sports Reporters", which was one of my favorite shows growing up. Id get up extra early Sunday mornings to watch. Now he and Schapp are both gone.

Very true. He was always great on the Sports Reporters. RIP.

 

[DietRob]

Huge loss. He's been a fixture at ESPN so long. I had no idea he was even sick. Article doesn't say how he died.

RIP.

 

[Talon]

RIP. A man of true gravitas.

 

[Tom Nook]

RIP

 

[Colonel Nasty]

He had an amazing voice. I liked listening to him in the background. RIP

 

[cruets]

damn, i'll miss his voice

 

[platocplx]

http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id...iar-air-face-espn-nearly-30-years-died-age-61

Watching Hannah report this. Freaking Awful.

 

[StoopKid]

Grew up watching him on abc college football.

Rip