- 10:01 ET, Mar 19 2022
- Updated: 10:01 ET, Mar 19 2022
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 on Twitter 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.
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Friends call Clayton ‘walking encyclopedia’
“John Clayton was a walking encyclopedia on football and what was happening in the NFL (THE PROFESSOR),” wrote former football coach Wade Phillips.
“Most of all, he was a great friend. Loved Clayton and miss him.”
John Clayton was a walking encyclopedia on football and what was happening in the NFL( THE PROFESSOR) .Most of all ,he was a great friend .Loved Clayton and miss him. RIP
— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) March 19, 2022
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Friends remember Clayton’s love for wife
One of the most consistent threads in tributes to John Clayton has been stories about his love for his wife Pat.
“Condolences to John Clayton’s wife Pat,” wrote The Arizona Republic reporter Kent Somers. “He adored her.”
And ESPN’s Dianna Russini shared that every Friday, Clayton took his wife out on a date.
Reading all these beautiful tributes to the great John Clayton.
He used to hop on SportsCenter on Fridays nights and while he would be getting set up I’d always ask “big plans tonight John?”
He always said the same thing “Taking my bride on a our Friday date.”
It was so sweet.— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 19, 2022
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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 was the kindest person. This was my first sideline job for the NFL. He found me, gave me advice, gave me some information for the broadcast and as always, wanted to talk about Braddock, PA. Thank you for everything John, I am so grateful for your friendship. RIP ♥️ pic.twitter.com/i28uOSexT0
— Joy Taylor (@JoyTaylorTalks) March 19, 2022
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Where did John Clayton pass away?
According to American journalist Chris Mortensen, John Clayton passed away at a Seattle area hospital.
Mortensen said: “His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.
“We loved John. We are mourning his loss. Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information.”
John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.
We loved John. We are mourning his loss.
Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information.— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 19, 2022
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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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/T0apxRkICJ
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 19, 2022
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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.
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Who was John Clayton?
John Clayton was a former NFL reporter and ESPN writer.
He passed away on Friday at the age of 67
Clayton’s friend, Jeff Muzzy , took to Twitter to reveal the news.
“I’m posting a notice of personal friend and hall of fame broadcaster John Clayton passing today at 3pm,” Muzzy wrote.
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‘Humble, selfless, gem of a guy’
Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Brandt expressed his sadness after hearing news ofJohn Clayton’s passing.
He tweeted: “When I joined ESPN he shepherded me through all the shows, made sure I knew my way around.
“Liked and respected not only by all in media but by all NFL team coaches and executives.
“Humble, selfless, gem of a guy. What a loss.”
Saddened to hear of the passing of John Clayton.
When I joined ESPN he shepherded me through all the shows, made sure I knew my way around.
Liked and respected not only by all in media but by all NFL team coaches and executives.
Humble, selfless, gem of a guy. What a loss. pic.twitter.com/WTltyCne9K— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) March 19, 2022
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‘Rest In Peace, The Professor’
The Seattle Seahawks shared this tribute post on Twitter.
It read: “The Seahawks are heartbroken to learn of the passing of John Clayton after a battle with a brief illness at the age of 67.”
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‘There will never be another John Clayton’
Brady Henderson, a Seattle Seahawk reporter for ESPN, remembered John Clayton for knowing “things before most people in the building did.”
He explained: “I don’t know how he made time to sleep, let alone be as devoted of a husband as he was.
“I also got a kick out of his quirks, like his penchant for prefacing things with ‘let’s put it this way.’
“Well, let’s put it this way: there will never be another John Clayton. RIP, Professor.”
I don’t know how he made time to sleep, let alone be as devoted of a husband as he was. I also got a kick out of his quirks, like his penchant for prefacing things with “let’s put it this way.” Well, let’s put it this way: there will never be another John Clayton. RIP, Professor.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 19, 2022
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‘We will miss him dearly’
ESPN remembered John Clayton as being “one of our NFL insiders who expertly covered the league for more than 20 years at ESPN.”
“We all learned something from ‘The Professor’ over the years and we will miss him dearly,” the network wrote in a tribute tweet.
John Clayton, one of our NFL insiders who expertly covered the league for more than 20 years at ESPN, died Friday at 67 after a brief illness.
We all learned something from “The Professor” over the years and we will miss him dearly. pic.twitter.com/bfiPCPUYZo
— ESPN (@espn) March 19, 2022
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Senior ESPN writer mourns John Clayton
“John Clayton, a first-class NFL insider and our beloved longtime ESPN colleague, died today,” wrote senior ESPN writer Don Van Natta Jr. on Twitter.
“He also starred in the greatest This Is SportsCenter commercial of all time.”
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How was John Clayton involved with radio stations?
John Clayton often contributed to 104.3 The Fan in Denver.
He was also a weekly guest at The Mightier 1090AM in San Diego.
The former NFL reporter was known for calling in to sports radio programs nationwide.
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‘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.”
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John Clayton’s last Twitter post
Clayton had approximately 1.3million followers on Twitter, where he described himself as a host and writer on 710 ESPN Seattle and his “SCHOOLED with The Professor” Podcast
“The Seahawks are now in complete rebuilding mode. We explain at http://Seattlesports.com,” Clayton’s last tweet read, alongside a link to the article.
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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.
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How was John Clayton involved with radio stations?
John Clayton often contributed to 104.3 The Fan in Denver.
He was also a weekly guest at The Mightier 1090AM in San Diego.
The former NFL reporter was known for calling in to sports radio programs nationwide.
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Seattle Seahawks are ‘heartbroken’
“The Seahawks are heartbroken to learn of the passing of John Clayton after a battle with a brief illness at the age of 67,” the Seattle Seahawks said in a statement.
“Rest In Peace, The Professor,” the organization wrote.
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Who was John Clayton?
John Clayton was a former NFL reporter and ESPN writer.
He passed away on Friday at the age of 67
Clayton’s friend, Jeff Muzzy , took to Twitter to reveal the news.
“I’m posting a notice of personal friend and hall of fame broadcaster John Clayton passing today at 3pm,” Muzzy wrote.
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‘RIP to the Great John Clayton’
A fan of the former ESPN reporter took to Twitter to comment on the loss of the “Great John Clayton.”
The Twitter user wrote: “Educating us all on NFL news as ‘The Professor’ since my college days.
“The NFL and sports world lost a Hall of Fame human being.
“I’m choosing to remember the good times, like this memorable ESPN commercial.”
RIP to the Great John Clayton. Educating us all on NFL news as “The Professor” since my college days. The NFL and sports world lost a Hall of Fame human being. I’m choosing to remember the good times, like this memorable ESPN commercial: https://t.co/2Cr3UgsFTX via @YouTube
— ?????????? ???????✈️ All ⛽️ No ? (@CosScarcia) March 19, 2022
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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.
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What is John Clayton’s cause of death?
A cause of death has not yet been released for the late reporter.
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‘Humble, selfless, gem of a guy’
Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Brandt expressed his sadness after hearing news ofJohn Clayton’s passing.
He tweeted: “When I joined ESPN he shepherded me through all the shows, made sure I knew my way around.
“Liked and respected not only by all in media but by all NFL team coaches and executives.
“Humble, selfless, gem of a guy. What a loss.”
Saddened to hear of the passing of John Clayton.
When I joined ESPN he shepherded me through all the shows, made sure I knew my way around.
Liked and respected not only by all in media but by all NFL team coaches and executives.
Humble, selfless, gem of a guy. What a loss. pic.twitter.com/WTltyCne9K— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) March 19, 2022
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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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/T0apxRkICJ
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 19, 2022
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When did John Clayton join ESPN?
John Clayton joined ESPN in 1995 as a reporter.
He later hosted a radio show with former NFL quarterback Sean Salisbury.
In 2017, Clayton was reportedly let go from ESPN.