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John Saunders, one of the familiar on-air faces of ESPN for nearly 30 years, has died. He was 61.Saunders hosted studio and play-by-play programming. He covered college football, basketball and the NHL for the network, in addition to anchoring SportsCenter. He was also host of The Sports Reporters.This tragic news brings us unspeakable sorrow, Saunders family said in a statement. John was the patriarch of our family, and we cant believe he is gone. We are sincerely touched by the outpouring of support and sadness, which is a reflection of the character and integrity that defined him.While we dont yet have all the specifics, John wasnt feeling well physically in recent days and sadly, he was unresponsive earlier this morning. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers for our cherished father, husband, brother and uncle.Born in Canada, Saunders was an all-star defenseman in the junior hockey leagues of Montreal. He played at Western Michigan and Ryerson Polytechnical in Toronto before becoming one of the most prominent broadcasters of his time.Saunders was a founding member of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and served on its board of directors.John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades, John Skipper, ESPN president and Disney Media Networks co-chairman, 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.He was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time.Saunders joined ESPN in December 1986 to anchor SportsCenter. He also became a regular voice on college basketball and the WNBA and hosted ESPNs coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs from 1993 to 2004. He also worked on coverage of the World Series and Major League Baseballs All-Star Game.We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Saunders, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. As the studio host of NBA Shootaround, a play-by-play announcer for nationally televised NBA and WNBA games and one of the?Toronto Raptors first?television voices, John was a vital member of the NBA family for more than two decades and was a friendly and familiar face to our players and fans.His achievements in journalism are matched only by his commitment to his community, particularly his service as a founding member of the V Foundation.Dick Vitale, a longtime colleague of Saunders, said his friend represented everything that was good in a human being.He was all about family and helping people, Vitale said. He was as good as it gets, and he had deep loyalty and love for others. His work with The V Foundation was so special. He loved Jimmy V and poured his heart and soul into the cause. He was always willing to share and give, and he played a vital role in the success of helping so many. I cant believe this stunning and horrible news. He will be forever in our thoughts.Chris Berman, who worked with Saunders during his entire 30 years at ESPN, said it was easy for anyone to relate to his former colleague.John Saunders was our friend, and he was your friend. You were immediately comfortable with John in 30 seconds, Berman said. I was fortunate enough to be comfortable with him for 30 years. We knew him for his understated demeanor and understated smile, but we also knew him for his firm commitment to getting things right and treating people right. John was old school, even Old World. Maybe because he was Canadian. Maybe because he was John.Professionally he was always willing to be out of the limelight, but make no mistake, with John Saunders, you knew you were in special company. His mark on ESPN is indelible. His mark on all of us even more so.Other on-air colleagues of Saunders at ESPN took to social media to express their sorrow.Western Michigan honored Saunders as well, as did retired NBA star Kobe Bryant.Saunders survivors include his wife, Wanda, and daughters Aleah and Jenna.Cheap Yeezy Free Shipping . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Fake Yeezy China . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. https://www.yeezychina.us/ .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Clearance Yeezy For Sale . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Wholesale Yeezy China . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records.Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Tuesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- MIAMI -- Jose Fernandez was at a Miami River bar and restaurant before he and two friends were killed in a boat crash. Its not clear if he had been drinking, and toxicology reports have not been released.- CHASKA, Minn. -- Europe, which has won eight of the last 10 Ryder Cups, faces an American squad that U.S. captain Davis Love III calls the best golf team maybe ever assembled.- NEW YORK -- The Boston Red Sox, riding an 11-game winning streak, have a chance to clinch the AL East title when they send David Price to the mound against the New York Yankees. Game starts 7:05 p.m.- TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles begin a pivotal three-game series in a showdown between the top AL wild-card teams. Game starts 7:07 p.m.- INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Having finally brought a championship to Cleveland, LeBron James tells the AP he wants to pass Michael Jordan and be considered the greatest player in NBA history.- NEW YORK -- The usual basketball talk on the opening of NBA training camps gives way to discussions about social injustice and violence, with players worried about their communities and country.- OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors, coming off a record-73 win season, hold their first practice sincce signing Kevin Durant.dddddddddddd- After firing the most successful football coach in school history, LSU needs a home run hire. But upgrading from Les Miles is far from a sure thing.- WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Joining No. 3 Louisville and No. 5 Clemson in a tie for first in the ACCs Atlantic Division is Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons, unranked and undefeated, are off to their best start in a decade.- PHOENIX -- The Pac-12 has been filled with surprises this season, including Arizona States rise to the top of the South Division and Southern Californias fast fade.- ATLANTA -- Two road wins have energized Falcons coach Dan Quinn, whose team improved to 2-1 after a Monday night victory at New Orleans.- PITTSBURGH -- Whatever early momentum the Steelers had disappeared in Philadelphia. The worst loss since coach Mike Tomlin has been coaching Pittsburgh provided a reality check.- TORONTO -- Canada plays Team Europe in Game 1 of the best-of-three World Cup of Hockey finals. Europe is without high-scoring wing Marian Gaborik, who is sidelined for eight weeks with a foot injury. Game starts 8 p.m.- LAS VEGAS -- Conor McGregor will fight for Eddie Alvarezs lightweight title on Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in UFCs debut in New York. ' ' '