Pittsburg, PA
Former KDKA-TV personality Jon Burnett grateful for support after sharing suspected CTE diagnosis
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — There’s been a massive response from the Pittsburgh community after KDKA-TV’s stories with beloved retired colleague and friend, Jon Burnett, who shared his diagnosis of suspected CTE — the brain disease caused by repeated hits to the head.
On this Valentine’s Day, all of the words of love pouring in on social media are like Pittsburgh’s love letters to Burnett, offering support, prayers and thanks.
KDKA-TV’s Kristine Sorensen visited Burnett again to share some of those social media comments, and they laughed over messy food, just like they did when they co-hosted Pittsburgh Today Live. That same humor and genuine good nature shines through Burnett even though his expressions are diminished, his voice is quieter and his short-term memory is a challenge.
KDKA-TV’s Kristine Sorensen showed him the hundreds of messages of support for him on social media and read him a few. One Facebook post said, “I have watched Jon Burnett since Evening Magazine. I was about 8-years-old and always loved his personality and antics on TV. I got to meet him once at the Italian festival in Bloomfield some years back and was delighted he was so friendly – just like on TV. John’s one of the good guys. We love you Jon.”
Another post on Facebook reads, “May God bless you and your family on this journey. Thank you for being willing to share your experience. You are loved by many.”
KDKA-TV’s Kristine Sorensen asked Burnett, “I know you’re a man of faith. What does it mean to you that so many people are praying for you?”
“It means everything,” Burnett said. “It means the world. It means that I’m going to have not an easy trip here to the end, but with people like that behind me, and my wife, Debbie, and you and the guys, I just got it easy.”
Burnett described all the support from the community, friends, and family as being part of a team — something he knows well from his 10 years playing football, including at the University of Tennessee.
Lots of viewers said they shed a tear watching the story, including a viewer named Bonnie who also wrote, “A great thing he and his family are doing for awareness of this disease.”
One reason Burnett and his family wanted to share their story was for awareness and to encourage more people to participate in a study of CTE at the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh.
That’s happening. Since the stories first aired on Monday, 37 people have signed up for the Brain Bank study — a huge addition to the 100 enrolled since it opened nine months ago.
Burnett says, “It is not so much thanks to me as it is to the guys who knocked my head off. I took some hits over the years. There were times when I’d come home and I wouldn’t know who I was or where I was because I’ve gotten blows to the head.”
Burnett says despite his challenges, he has no regrets and is grateful for football, faith, family and friends, and he wanted to speak directly to the many Pittsburghers who love him.
“I didn’t plan this,” Burnett says. “I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t dream about it. It’s just, it is what it is. But you guys, all of you, all of you have been, mainly you, Debbie, have been like a rock for me. I’ve been able to tell hundreds of people what’s going on, and they’ve all been sympathetic. I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I’m feeling blessed.”
The National Sports Brain Bank is seeking anyone around the country who played sports, from rec to pro, to sign up for its study to learn more about CTE and other brain injuries related to sports. You can learn more and enroll here.
Vegas allowed two power-play goals on Pittsburgh’s four chances after giving up one on 12 opportunities the previous four games.
“I think we just had poor execution all game long,” Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith said. “Obviously, our penalty kill has been pretty good for us and that wasn’t good enough tonight.”
Rickard Rakell pushed it to 4-0 on another power play at 15:06, stopping a shot from Karlsson with his left skate and wrapping a shot around Hill.
Brazeau scored on a wrist shot from above the right circle at 14:59 of the third period for the 5-0 final.
“Second period, they took it to us,” McNabb said. “We were out of it, basically.”
NOTES: With goals from Kindel, Chinakhov and Brazeau, the Penguins have 73 goals by players in their first season with the team. It’s the most in the NHL this season and 13 more than the next closest (the Anaheim Ducks, 59). … The Golden Knights have been outscored 9-1 in the first and second periods of their first three games out of the break for the Olympics. … Karlsson has 908 points (204 goals, 704 assists), tied with Scott Stevens (908 points; 196 goals, 712 assists) for the 13th-most by a defenseman in League history. … Vegas forward Mitch Marner had a point streak end at six games (seven points; four goals, three assists).
Vegas Golden Knights (28-17-14, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (30-15-13, in the Metropolitan Division)
Pittsburgh; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Knights -149, Penguins +125; over/under is 6.5
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights square off in a non-conference matchup.
Pittsburgh has a 14-8-7 record at home and a 30-15-13 record overall. The Penguins have scored 197 total goals (3.4 per game) to rank 10th in NHL play.
Vegas is 28-17-14 overall and 14-9-7 in road games. The Golden Knights are 27-6-8 in games they score at least three goals.
Sunday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Mantha has 21 goals and 23 assists for the Penguins. Benjamin Kindel has six goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
Mark Stone has 21 goals and 38 assists for the Golden Knights. Pavel Dorofeyev has seven goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 7-1-2, averaging 4.2 goals, 7.1 assists, 3.3 penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
Golden Knights: 4-4-2, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.8 assists, 2.6 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.
INJURIES: Penguins: None listed.
Golden Knights: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz needs to have a great season for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 and his strong Spring Training continued in their most recent victory.
Cruz hit a three-run home run off of Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray in the top of the fifth inning, playing a big role in the 5-2 victory at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.
He waited on a changeup on the second pitch, 85.1 mph over the middle of the plate and sent it 106.4 mph off the bat and 368 feet, scoring both left fielder Billy Cook and third baseman Alika Williams with two outs.
That marks the first home run for Cruz in the Grapefruit League, who has had a great Spring Training so far, slashing .538/.600/.846 for an OPS of 1.446 in five games, with seven hits in 13 at-bats.
Pittsburgh got the win after the top of the sixth inning, after a rain delay ended the game.
Pirates Rookie Pitchers Have Up-And-Down Showing vs. Astros
Right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made his second start for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and dominated vs. the Astros.
Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a walk, while posting two strikeouts for Pittsburgh.
Former Pirates pitcher, right-handed starter Mike Burrows, countered Ashcraft for the Astros. He threw three scoreless innings himself, allowed one hit and a walk and posted four strikeouts.
The Pirates traded Burrows to the Houston Astros in the three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19, that landed them second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.
Right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler made his second appearance for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and threw two innings.
Chandler immediately loaded the bases, walking both third baseman Carlos Correa and first baseman Christian Walker, then giving up a single to center fielder Cam Smith.
He came back and struckout right fielder Taylor Trammell and got left fielder Zach Dezenzo to pop out, but gave up a single to second baseman Brice Matthews and a run to the Astros, before ending the inning with a strikeout.
Chandler also gave up a solo home run to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, on a slider down in the zone.
He finished his outing with three hits, three walks and two earned runs allowed over 1.1 innings pitched, before left-handed pitcher Derek Diamond got the last two outs of the inning.
Chandler struggled in his first Spring Training start vs. the New York Yankees at LECOM Park in Bradenton on Feb. 23, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings of work.
The Pirates will need better showings from Chandler, who should serve as a key piece of their starting rotation in 2026.
Other Important Notes from Pirates Victory
The Pirates added two runs in the top of the sixth inning, as Cook hit a single that scored second baseman Nick Yorke and then Williams singled, scoring Cook to make it a 5-2 ball game.
Cook had just one hit in eight at-bats coming into this game and scored twice in the victory, as he walked before the Cruz home run.
Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna led the Pirates with two hits, a good sign for them, as they’ll rely on him greatly for his power and hitting in 2026.
The Pirates are now 7-2 in the Grapefruit League and tied with the Yankees for the top of the standings.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!
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