John Clayton ESPN cause of death news – NFL reporter’s SportsCenter commercial goes viral after he died from illness
VETERAN NFL and ESPN reporter John Clayton, who appeared in a famed SportsCenter commercial, has passed away at 67.
Clayton's close friend Jeff Muzzy announced the news of Clayton's death on on March 18, 2022, in an emotional statement.
It read: "I'm posting a notice of personal friend and hall of fame broadcaster John Clayton passing today at 3pm."
The platform was soon flooded with tributes to the "beloved" journalist, who died after a brief illness at 67. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
The Seattle Seahawks tweeted that the team was "heartbroken" to hear of Clayton's death in a lengthy statement posted to Twitter.
Read our John Clayton live blog for the latest updates.
‘He was that good’
“Long before he became an ESPN icon, John might have been the best news-breaking team beat reporter of his generation, the type who could sit on a story for months and then break it before others had any clue what was going on,” said The Athletic’s Mike Sando, a longtime friend of Clayton’s, as part of an .
“He was that good.”
“On a personal level, John was incredibly generous to me when I succeeded him as the Seahawks beat reporter at the Tacoma News Tribune many years ago. I owe so much to John and will miss him terribly,” he added.
John Clayton’s voicemails
In a heartbreaking penned by NFL journalist Bill Williamson, the writer wrote about how he’ll remember the late Professor — by replaying his voicemails.
“I only have a small amount of voicemails in my phone history and most of them, naturally, were left by ‘The Professor,'” Williamson said.
“I listened to all of them.”
Moment of silence
A Twitter user shared a touching moment of silence for John Clayton that took place at a ballfield in Peoria, Arizona.
‘Remembered in so many ways’
“John Clayton will be remembered in so many ways, from how he looked after his wife Pat, to the mark he made in reporting, to the standard he set,” wrote ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
“He dedicated his life to his wife and to football.”
Clayton was ‘the kindest person’
Joy Taylor remembered John Clayton’s kindness to her during her first NFL sideline job.
“He found me, gave me advice, gave me some information for the broadcast and as always, wanted to talk about Braddock, PA,” the sports reporter wrote.
“Thank you for everything John, I am so grateful for your friendship.”
John Clayton’s viral commercial
John Clayton was known to a wider audience for a viral commercial that depicted him filming an ESPN spot remotely – from what was then revealed to be a typical teenage bedroom.
The camera panned away as Clayton ripped off his business clothes and revealed a Slayer t-shirt and long, unkempt hair.
As he flopped onto his bed with a box of takeout, the words “This is SportsCenter” appeared on the screen.
Where did John Clayton attend college?
John Clayton, a Pennsylvania native, attended Duquesne University.
During his time at the university, Clayton was inducted into the sports hall of fame in 2001.
‘Completely in his element’
Sports writer Sheil Kapadia offered kind words about a memory he shared with John Clayton on following Clayton’s death.
“My first week on the job, John Clayton insisted I stop by his house so he could show me around,” he wrote.
“Gave me turn-by-turn directions on the phone, came outside to flag me down, invited me in to meet his wife. Showed me a park to take my kids and where to grab a quick bite.”
“For 2 years, was willing to help with anything I needed,” he added.
“Would call just to catch up and fill me in on what he was hearing. It struck me how much he loved his job. Completely in his element covering practice or a game.”
“A genuinely kind man and legendary football writer. RIP.”
PFWA statement on Clayton’s death
Clayton received his profession’s highest honor, the Bill Nunn Memorial Award, in 2007, according to .
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 Clayton’s passing, writing, “The PFWA mourns the passing of John Clayton. John was the PFWA’s 19th president (1999-2000) and the organization’s 2007 Bill Nunn Jr. Award recipient.”
“‘The Professor’ was a friend to so many in our business. Our condolences to his wife Pat, family, colleagues and his many friends.”
Russell Wilson’s tribute
Russell Wilson shared a brief tribute to John Clayton on Twitter.
“We will all miss your words and brilliance @JohnClaytonNFL #RIPJohnClayton,” he wrote.
NFL Commissioner releases statement
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement following John Clayton’s death.
“John Clayton, one of the first ‘Insiders,’ helped bring fans closer to the game they loved,” Goodell .
“For five decades, he covered the league with endless energy and professionalism. He earned my tremendous respect and admiration as a journalist but more importantly as a wonderful person, particularly as it relates to the love, care, and devotion to his wife Pat.
“We will miss John and send our deepest condolences to Pat and his sister Amy,” the statement concluded.
What awards has Clayton won?
In 2007, Clayton was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Dick McCann Memorial Award. This honor placed him in the Hall of Fame’s writer’s wing.
In 2001, he was also inducted into his alma mater’s athletics hall of fame, Duquesne University.
Gary Belsky remembers John Clayton’s NYC visits
Gary Belsky, former editor in chief of ESPN The Magazine, memories of John Clayton to his Facebook page.
“His visits to New york City were something we looked forward to,” Belsky wrote of Clayton.
“He loved funk music and was a font of NFL insights. It was said, and I overheard phone conversations that supported the rumors, that NFL GMs called him for help in understanding the salary cap.”
ESPN Sports Reporter remembers ‘legend’ John Clayton
ESPN Sports Reporter Jeff Darlington took to Twitter on Friday night to mourn the loss of a “legend.”
He wrote: “When I first met John Clayton, I was so nervous to meet a legend.
“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. I’m so sad. But so very fortunate to have known such a kind soul.”
Career in ESPN
Clayton joined ESPN as a reporter in 1995, and eventually added a weekly radio program during the NFL offseason to his responsibilities.
He co-hosted the show with Sean Salisbury, a former NFL quarterback, and included Four Downs, a debate with Salisbury about current NFL topics.
On May 31, 2017, Clayton was laid off from ESPN.
Who founded ESPN?
The company was founded by Bill Rasmussen, his son, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan.
Originally called ESP, the company was incorporated for just $91 in 1978.
The company’s original headquarters was in Bristol, Connecticut.
ESPN Layoffs
In the spring of 2017, ESPN laid off about 100 employees, including John Clayton.
The layoffs came as the company was budgeting money for broadcast rights to the NFL, NBA, and other programs.
What is ESPN?
ESPN is a cable channel that features sports-related programming.
The channel focuses on live and pre-taped games, sports talk shows, and more original programming.
ESPN was founded in 1978, and launched in 1979.
John Clayton’s touching goodbye to ESPN
When John Clayton left ESPN in 2017, he posted a heartfelt tweet about the network – but he made it clear that as much as he enjoyed sports, he had one true love.
“I can honestly say that my relationship with ESPN was the second best in my life,” Clayton wrote.
“My marriage to my wife Pat is obviously No. 1.”
When did John Clayton begin his career?
Clayton as a professional reporter at the age of 17, covering the NFL for the Washington Post, ESPN, and other publications.
He subsequently covered the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Press and the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune, according to .
He joined ESPN in 1995 and worked there until 2017 when he wrote and broadcasted on football.
Tacoma News Tribune tribute, continued
Clayton’s biggest strength as a reporter was his wide network of sources, Zeeck told the Tribune.
“Impeccable, in every nook and cranny of the NFL. His ability to engender trust and respect was unmatched,” Zeeck said.
“That’s what got him the great stories, ahead of everybody else.
“Those phone calls, regularly, from the top coaches and general managers in the league really impressed me,” Zeeck continued.
“That just doesn’t happen with any but the very best reporters in any subject.”
Tacoma News Tribune colleagues’ tribute
In a tribute to Clayton, his former employer, the Tacoma News Tribune, from writers and editors who worked with Clayton in the 1990s.
Editor David Zeeck remembered learning about Clayton’s astute reporting from the other staff who revered him.
“In my first few days, I heard the operator call John to tell him to pick up a line because Tom Landry (retired from the Cowboys) was on the phone. Or Bill Parcells, then coach of the Patriots,” Zeeck said.
“Tom Flores called me to complain that John reported a player signing — accurately — before his own player-personnel people confirmed it to the coach.”
Who is Clayton survived by?
Along with his wife Pat, JohnClayton is survived by his sister Amy.
Clayton also leaves behind his son, Gerald Clayton.
Where did Clayton die?
Clayton , Washington, according to Mike Sando, a senior writer for The Athletic and a longtime friend of Clayton’s.
John Clayton's voicemails
In a heartbreaking penned by NFL journalist Bill Williamson, the writer wrote about how he'll remember the late Professor — by replaying his voicemails.
"I only have a small amount of voicemails in my phone history and most of them, naturally, were left by 'The Professor,'" Williamson said.
"I listened to all of them."