John Clayton, longtime ESPN NFL reporter and radio host, dies at 67

He was 67.

“The Seahawks are heartbroken to be taught of the passing of John Clayton after a battle with a quick sickness on the age of 67,” the group mentioned in a press release.

Nicknamed “The Professor,” Clayton was identified for reporting on the NFL in such an in depth method that, as ESPN’s Chris Mortensen mentioned, “Anybody paying consideration walked away slightly extra educated.”

He did that for 50 years, beginning in 1972 whereas protecting the Pittsburgh Steelers in the course of the “Immaculate Reception” 12 months up till simply weeks in the past, when he broke down the Seattle Seahawks’ blockbuster commerce of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for Seattle Sports activities 710 AM, the place he was a daily contributor.

In 2007, Clayton acquired what’s now referred to as the Invoice Nunn Memorial Award, which the Skilled Soccer Writers of America presents yearly for lengthy and distinguished reporting on soccer. “It is the very best honor any author protecting this sport can obtain,” he mentioned on the time.

“The PFWA mourns the passing of John Clayton. John was the PFWA’s nineteenth president (1999-2000) and the group’s 2007 Invoice Nunn Jr. Award recipient,” the group mentioned in a press release. “‘The Professor’ was a pal to so many in our enterprise. Our condolences to his spouse Pat, household, colleagues and his many buddies.”

ESPN employed Clayton in 1995 as a jack-of-all-trades for its NFL protection. SportsCenter producers created a weekly section referred to as “4 Downs” pitting Clayton towards NFL analyst and former quarterback Sean Salisbury. It turned must-see TV.

As did his appearances on “That is SportsCenter” commercials for ESPN, which to at the present time are hailed as among the many greatest — together with a spot the place he appeared for a TV hit in a tie, tore it off, let down his lengthy hair and commenced rocking out in his basement.

Clayton grew up in Braddock, Pennsylvania, coated the Steelers whereas in highschool after which attended Duquesne. He was employed by the Pittsburgh Press throughout his senior 12 months, then later moved west, protecting the Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune earlier than being employed by ESPN, the place he labored till just a few years in the past.

Most lately, he was the host of The John Clayton Weekends present on Seattle Sports activities 710. He additionally spent 5 seasons as a sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks Radio Community.

His love for soccer by no means waned, till at the present time.

“Till they plant me, I assume,” he informed the Pittsburgh Put up Gazette in 2018, when requested how lengthy he’ll hold protecting the NFL. “I like these things. What I like about it’s there’s a lot extra stuff we did not have entry to years in the past and now we do — the wage info, NFL Recreation Rewind the place you’ll be able to watch coaches tape. There’s a lot info and analytical stuff, it is phenomenal.”