ESPN broadcaster John Saunders dies at 61

John Saunders, a longtime ESPN broadcaster who joined the network 30 years ago, died Wednesday. He was 61.

The cause of death is unknown, but his family said in a statement he had not been feeling well for several days. "John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades," ESPN President John Skipper said 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."

A native of Montreal, Saunders played hockey and attended Western Michigan University on a hockey scholarship. In 1986, he started at ESPN, and covered Major League Baseball, Stanley Cup playoffs, WNBA games, college football, and college basketball, and for the past five years hosted the weekly show The Sports Reporters. His family called him a "cherished father, husband, brother, and uncle," and said they are "sincerely touched by the outpouring of support and sadness, which is a reflection of the character and integrity that defined him."

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