ESPNs John Saunders is dead at 61 [View all]

[malaise]

http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/17263104/john-saunders-long-familiar-air-face-espn-nearly-30-years-died-age-61
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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.

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Saunders made it look easy, as broadcaster and friend

It should've been a hard thing for John Saunders to follow Dick Schaap as host of The Sports Reporters. It became one more thing that Saunders made look extraordinarily easy, Mike Lupica writes.

The death of ESPN broadcaster John Saunders, announced Wednesday, prompted an outpouring of grief on Twitter.

"This tragic news brings us unspeakable sorrow," Saunders' family said in a statement. "John was the patriarch of our family, and we can't believe he is gone. We are sincerely touched by the outpouring of support and sadness, which is a reflection of the character and integrity that defined him.

"While we don't yet have all the specifics, John wasn't feeling well physically in recent days and sadly, he was unresponsive earlier this morning. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers for our cherished father, husband, brother and uncle."