John Brenkus, who hosted ESPN’s critically acclaimed Sport Science, has died after a battle with despair.
Brenkus’ demise was introduced in an announcement through social media on Sunday, June 1. He was 54 years previous.
“It’s with profound disappointment that we share the information that John Brenkus has handed away,” the assertion learn. “John, co-founder of Base Productions, founding father of Brinx.television, and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy award-winning Sport Science, had been battling despair.”
The assertion continued, “John misplaced his battle with this horrible sickness on Might thirty first, 2025. His heartbroken household and associates request privateness presently, and encourage anybody who’s scuffling with despair to hunt assist.”
Sport Science premiered on Fox Sports activities in 2007 earlier than being picked up by ESPN in 2010. Segments of Sport Science hosted by Brenkus aimed toward fixing “sports activities’ largest myths and mysteries through the use of cutting-edge know-how” would typically air on SportsCenter.
Brenkus was remembered by SportsCenter in a section that aired on Sunday.
“John Brenkus was an innovator, an entertainer and an educator,” a tribute stated. “He shall be missed by many.”
Brenkus was additionally remembered by a few of his former colleagues after information of his demise was introduced.
“That is extremely unhappy,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote through X. “John was so good at what he did. Sincerest condolences to his household and associates. Relaxation in peace, John.”
Former ESPN anchor and NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III shared through X, “Prayers up for John Brenkus and his household 🙏🏾.”
“I’m so extremely unhappy to be taught of the passing of John Brenkus,” NBC Sports activities’ Matthew Berry wrote through X. “I did an episode of Sport Science again within the day and we remained associates. The last word skilled, he was sort, encouraging, good and ingenious. That is terrible. RIP John Brenkus.”
On a January 2023 episode of Brinx.television’s By no means Shut Up, Brenkus opened as much as host Marcellus Wiley a couple of previous suicide try after he fell right into a “very deep despair.”
“I had a noose tied round my neck,” Brenkus recalled. “I used to be able to do it. And my canine Zeppelin got here to my rescue, actually pulled on my pants, on my denims. Actually was going loopy, wouldn’t depart me alone. In my suicidal funk I used to be like, ‘What am I doing?’ I actually picked up my telephone and known as my mother and stated, ‘There’s one thing incorrect with me.’ I’m mentally misplaced.”
Brenkus defined he went to “six completely different psychologists and psychiatrists” earlier than discovering a physician that helped him discover “the best way.”
On the time, Brenkus stated he had “by no means been depressed a day in my life from that second ahead.”
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