Seemed like a genuinely charismatic individual. The architect of the greatest SportsCentrer commercial ever. John Clayton, who covered the National Football League for ESPN for more than 20 years, died Friday after a brief illness. It struck me how much he loved his job. In a story posted Friday night on MyNorthwest.com, Cathy Congiano, senior vice president and market manager at Bonneville Seattle, said: John was a valuable member of our team. Would call just to catch up and fill me in on what he was hearing. Rest in peace. Anybody that wears a Slayer shirt in a commercial is righteous in my world, but also a fabulous reporter. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. With Brock Purdy and Trey Lance coming off injuries, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch didn't rule out adding a veteran signal-caller this offseason. He is a Hall of Famer. In reality, he was prince in the profession whose passing had the NFL world grieving on Friday, and whose memory will be smiled upon every autumn. RIP I really appreciated your life. For 2 years, was willing to help with anything I needed, he added. "Every kid grew up listening to John Clayton. Sad to hear that John Clayton has passed. John could not have been nicer, more professional,more helpful to me. Loved talking ball with him. A 1976 graduate of Duquesne University, Clayton began his professional career covering the Steelers for The Pittsburgh Press, for whom he worked part time while in college. Chris wrote, John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. RIP.. Always admired his love and devotion to his wife Pat. He has received several awards including the Dick McCann Memorial Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. RIP Mr. Clayton. Editor David Zeeck remembered learning about Claytons astute reporting from the other staff who revered him. "What I love about it is there's so much more stuff we didn't have access to years ago and now we dothe salary information, NFL Game Rewind where you can watch coaches tape. John was the PFWA's 19th president (1999-2000) and the organization's 2007 Bill Nunn Jr. Award recipient. Great NFL reporter. After all, he helped carve the path for guys like me sportswriters who aspired to work at ESPN.I never imagined he would become a great friend. Nobody could talk NFL business like John. He was also a badass journalist. What is Vivek Ramaswamys net worth compared to 2024 GOP presidential hopefuls? Thank you for everything John, I am so grateful for your friendship. A Pennsylvania native, Clayton, who won the 2007 Bill Nunn Jr. Award for making a "long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage," covered the Steelers at The Pittsburgh Press and later the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. That just doesnt happen with any but the very best reporters in any subject.. Im still ticked that ESPN dumped him. He began appearing in NFL segments on AM Seattle sports radio station KJR, including Nanci Donnellan's show "The Fabulous Sports Babe." Sad news, I enjoyed his insights and was not happy when ESPN let him go. He also starred in the greatest This Is SportsCenter commercial of all time. Clayton became a national celebrity for his classic This is SportsCenter ad. We loved John. Chris Mortensen tweeted, John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital,. His connections, friendships and relationships were unmatched across the sports world. I am a 18-year-old teen who loves sports ? It read: "I'm posting a notice of personal friend and hall of fame broadcaster John Clayton passing today at 3pm.". ESPN was founded in 1978, and launched in 1979. mr russell radio solent illness. Hope mom got you your grilled cheese, Bud. Claytondied at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington, according to Mike Sando, a senior writer for The Athletic and a longtime friend of Claytons. Sean Desai: Salary| Defensive scheme| Defensive coordinator, Anthony Davis all time Records and Achievements, India vs Australia all time Records and Achievements, Giannis Antetokounmpo all time Records and Struggle, Bristol city vs Man city all time Records and Achievements. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. He always made time for our show. He was also a senior writer for ESPN.com. John Clayton was a true professional broadcaster and journalist. What is a 'coconut heart' and is it a real thing? He was 67. John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. For five decades, he covered the league with endless energy and professionalism. Mom! The layoffs came as the company was budgeting money for broadcast rights to the NFL, NBA, and other programs. Clayton began his career in the Pittsburgh Press in the mid-1980s, covering the Steelers, before moving to Seattle to cover the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Ernest L. Henderson MALONE Ernest L. Henderson, 73, of Brushton. It led to one very memorable "This is Sportscenter" commercial in which he was depicted delivering a report for ESPN and, upon its conclusion, ripping off his suit and appearing as a heavy metal rocker working from his parents' house. I very much appreciated his no nonsense straight to the point, fact based reporting. Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) March 19, 2022. The man was a legend, and were lucky to have had his take all those years. Please check your email for a confirmation. But so very fortunate to have known such a kind soul. Pete Carroll and John Schneider knew they had to change their draft philosophy in 2022, and they explained it at the scouting combine. Clayton is shown flipping his personality after his segment, letting his hair down, donning a T-shirt and jumping on his bed with a container of leftovers as he cranks up the music and yells, Hey, Mom, Im done with my segment! Clayton still is remembered for the ad. Bruce Haring. We all learned something from The Professor over the years and we will miss him dearly. The Professor was a friend to so many in our business. Broadway Vocal Coach, 87, Dies 1 Week After Unprovoked Attack in N.Y.C. He made the celebrity anchors around him look like the amateurs they were. Youll be missed, John. One of the best professional, insightful, and believable. John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. Rest in Peace John Clayton. He was so kind and gracious with his time I will forever be grateful. Want to get the biggest stories from PEOPLE every weekday? pic.twitter.com/ECTyYgzT5u, WALTER JONES (@BigWalt71) March 19, 2022, I did my very first draft for ESPN on #ESPNRadio in 2014 in NYC with John Clayton, Mark Schlereth, and Dari Nowkhah. I used to read his articles all the time, years ago when I was a daily ESPN reader. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness, longtime ESPN colleague Chris Mortensen tweeted. John Clayton, one of the first Insiders, helped bring fans closer to the game they loved, Goodellwrote. In 2007, the man nicknamed "The Professor" earned the Bill Nunn Memorial Award, which is presented bythe Professional Football Writers of America each year for distinguished reporting across a journalist's career. pic.twitter.com/xFGdTYstnT, Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 19, 2022, I want to send my sincere condolences to John Clayton's family. WebBrief Illness Leads to John Claytons Cause of Death. RIP to a gentleman and Hall of Famer. Whats really sad is that he took care of his wife who has MS and now shes left alone. My friend of 22 years John Clayton died. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a His cause of death was a brief illness, the Seattle Seahawks revealed. Some of Claytons most memorable segments on ESPN television were his regular arguments with former NFL quarterback Sean Salisbury. My thought was something happened/is happening to his wife Pat (I think she has a really good caregiver). He possessed a very calm demeanor and such a high degree of professionalism. ", "We loved John," Mortensen, 70, wrote. Loved hitting every training camp while the rest of us were on fumes he did two camps per day a lot. pic.twitter.com/2iSYmajtVw, Denver's Sports Station 104.3 The Fan (@1043TheFan) March 19, 2022, There was never a question he didnt have an answer to. Probably the best football journalist ever for the Seattle area. "A straightshooter to the end. So bummed. And he was never cynical about the jobhe LOVED it (Only thing hed ever brag about was his ability to hit 32 camps in like 25 days).

RIP to a legend. Pat has asked @Seahawks to release more information.. Pat has asked the Seahawks to release more information. My friend of 22 years John Clayton died. It was a pleasure working and learning from you @JohnClaytonNFL . This is so sad. He added, "His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed away peacefully after a brief illness." I never imagined he would become a great friend. "For five decades, he covered the league with endless energy and professionalism," said Goodell, 63. Sadly, he did not. The news has been doing the rounds on the internet for over 24 hours as many celebrities and professionals are paying tribute to the veteran. "John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital," ESPN's Chris Mortensen said. John Clayton, one of the country's foremost NFL insiders who covered the league to great depths during a 20-plus-year career at ESPN, died Friday after a brief illness, his family said. In 2001, he was also inducted into his alma maters athletics hall of fame, Duquesne University. I pray for peace that surpasses understanding for his wife Patricia and his friends and family. HIs quip, "Hey, Ma, I'm done with my segment!" His wife Pat and sister Amy were with him and reported that he passed away peacefully https://t.co/LlJH5Fd4xD, The passing of John Clayton is truly heart breaking. Clayton joined ESPN as a reporter in 1995, and eventually added a weekly radio program during the NFL offseason to his responsibilities. John Claytons cause of death was due to a brief illness, passed away on Friday, at age 67. RIP to the guy who made the best SportsCenter commercial in history! Clayton also leaves behind his son, Gerald Clayton. He finished a seemingly normal segment by tearing off a faux suit, letting his hair down and enjoying Slayer while eating takeout Chinese food. ", "John was a treasured member of our team," said Cangiano, later adding: "His connections, friendships, and relationships throughout the sports world were simply unmatched. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a We will miss John and send our deepest condolences to Pat and his sister Amy, the statement concluded. Clayton has a wife named Patrica. RIP kind sir. ", Bonneville Seattle Senior Vice President and Market Manager Cathy Cangiano remembered Clayton as "a legend" in the sports broadcasting industry and "a true Hall of Famer" that was "a consistent advocate for the game of football. Is Chicago Med, Fire and PD new tonight on NBC? He'd drive hours to see for himself a player who was getting ripped in camp before he reported anything. The Professor has left the building! He was a respected voice on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. Im a bit shocked. Claytons biggest strength as a reporter was his wide network of sources, Zeeck told the Tribune. Clayton has been inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame of Duquesne University. I only have a small amount of voicemails in my phone history and most of them, naturally, were left by The Professor,' Williamson said. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed. Tom Flores called me to complain that John reported a player signing accurately before his own player-personnel people confirmed it to the coach.. John Clayton, one of the most prominent national NFL journalists who worked at ESPN for more than 20 years, died Friday. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. His reply: "Because they're stupid. Juju Smith-Schuster: Contract| Highlights| Did the chiefs sign, Deshaun Watson: Legal problem| What did actually do. Cheers!! The commercial ad was a classic. pic.twitter.com/kRtnAXWeiF, Just heard of the passing of @JohnClaytonNFL who could not have been nicer and whose love of football was infectious. 5 overall spot is a 'rare opportunity.'. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness. His impact and contribution to the game of football will be missed. The aforementioned commercial also poked fun at the rumor that John Clayton really did have a ponytail. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Seattle Seahawks tweeted that the team was "heartbroken" to hear of Clayton's death in a lengthy statement posted to Twitter. He was recently admitted to the hospital. I owe so much to John and will miss him terribly, he added. "We are very saddened to learn of the passing of John Clayton," the team said, later adding that their "thoughts are with his wife, Pat, during this difficult time.". The team released the statement, 'The Seahawks are heartbroken to learn of the passing of John Clayton after a battle with a brief illness at 67. died Saturday, July 28, 1990. following a long illness* He was born in Norwood Jan. 22. VETERAN NFL and ESPN reporter John Clayton, who appeared in a famed SportsCenter commercial, has passed away at 67. The Pro Football Hall of Fame presented him with the Dick McCann Memorial Award in 2007, essentially inducting him into the "writer's wing" of the hall. Rest easy. As he flopped onto his bed with a box of takeout, the words This is SportsCenter appeared on the screen. He dedicated his life to his wife and to football. The award is given annually by the Pro Football Writers of America in recognition of long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football., The organization released a statement about Claytons passing, writing, The PFWA mourns the passing of John Clayton. 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