Stalwart ESPN personality John Saunders passed away on Wednesday at the age of 61, and he left his colleagues and contemporaries shocked and saddened. From the other side of the TV, we knew him as a warm, workmanlike personality who had an air of easy professionalism. For all the changes ESPN has been through over the years, Saunders was among the connecting threads to the early days of the network, seemingly immune to the changing demands of sports entertainment like the legend Bob Ley, who is thankfully still going strong.
But from Saunders’ side, from the people who worked with him, he was more than his TV presence. From the reactions to his death, we can see a picture of a man who was generous with his time, his advice and his heart, who made a profound impact on his coworkers — like Stephen A. Smith, who called him a mentor and “The Godfather.”
From when Hannah Storm had to fight tears to announce his passing on SportsCenter, we knew this one was going to hurt a lot of people, so let’s give some space to allow Saunders’ memory to shine through their words.
My prayers go out to the family of John Saunders, who just passed away. He was one of the greats.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) August 10, 2016
So incredibly sad to hear that John Saunders has passed. He was a role model, a gentleman & a first-class reporter/anchor. RIP to a legend.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) August 10, 2016
Just last night we had a Vault feature including John Saunders. I smiled at the sight of John, Bob & Boom together. This is gutting news.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 10, 2016
When John learned I was having a daughter, he was so thoughtful. So helpful. So JOYFUL in explaining a the role of a father to a little girl
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 10, 2016
In days to come, sports fan will find out about the incredible impact John Saunders had @ESPN. Beyond his on-air talent, was mentor to many.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) August 10, 2016
The news of John Saunders' death could not be more crushing. We all loved him dearly. We grieve. We will miss him. Can't replace the man.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 10, 2016
Wow I am devastated with the news about my buddy John Saunders / A gr8 family man / just a fab guy RIP Love You pic.twitter.com/CuBIPu57Rz
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) August 10, 2016
I will miss my friend John Saunders. Talented. Generous. Kind. Too young.
— Jeremy Schaap (@JeremySchaap) August 10, 2016
John Saunders was incredibly generous to me in every single instance. He was such a tremendous man & I’ll miss his laughter the most
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/adamamin/status/763393344915574784
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The times I got to be around John Saunders were special. Just different. Classy. Funny. I truly was a fan.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) August 10, 2016
So sad to hear abt John Saunders passing. Always heard from producers how talented & poised he was as a broadcaster & what a pro he was. RIP
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 10, 2016
I've lost my dearest Industry friend. May God Bless him, his wife Wanda, his daughters Jenna, and Aleah.My heart hurts in ways it never has.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) August 10, 2016
John Saunders and I started the same week and were paired together on the 7pm SportsCenter in 1987. We remained close & shared everything.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) August 10, 2016
We sat side by side at Jimmy V's funeral, and he held me when I cried at the services for the late Tom Mees. John's a mentor to so many.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) August 10, 2016
John Saunders passes, proving yet again that the deity is working off the wrong list.
— Ray Ratto (@RattoIndy) August 10, 2016
Sickened and saddened to hear of loss of our colleague and friend, John Saunders. What a nice man. What a great man. pic.twitter.com/giwC23nSdM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2016
John Saunders left an extraordinary legacy. pic.twitter.com/oexhjGOD3T
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 10, 2016
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) August 10, 2016
I just did a panel with John Saunders and @jemelehill last Friday at NABJ. He was amazing as always. My friend. My mentor. My dude. Love u.
— Jay Harris (@JayHarrisESPN) August 10, 2016
John Saunders came with us one year to do @POTUS bracket. I loved sharing that experience with him. He was big-time, but didn't big time.
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) August 10, 2016
Prayers and condolences to the John Saunders family. We lost a great teammate. Great example and mentor to aspiring broadcasters.
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) August 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/WhitlockJason/status/763398445176545280
John Saunders was as classy of a guy as I met in my time working at ESPN. A true pro’s pro — who never made it about himself. RIP.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) August 10, 2016
John Saunders made it look so easy you might not have realized how great he was. 100% class individual. https://t.co/Q4WaAFcVTk
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 10, 2016
We all knew John Saunders as one of smartest & best on air personalities in sports, but he was also an AMAZING HUMANITARIAN #irreplaceable
— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) August 10, 2016
