ESPN anchor Randy Scott announces the death of employee Zach Jones

ESPN anchor Randy Scott breaks down on air and announces the death of colleague Zach Jones at age 41

Randy Scott X/Randy Scott

The ESPN family mourns the loss of one of their own, Zach Jonesafter his death on Sunday, December 22. He was 41.

“ESPN lost one of our own yesterday, head of research Zach Jones,” SportsCenter anchor Randy Scott announced during the broadcast on Monday, December 23.

Scott revealed that after a “two-year battle with colon cancer that had metastasized before his diagnosis,” Jones died.

“You may never have seen him on your screens, but you saw his work on our live golf coverage, our women’s basketball coverage or on any of our SportsCenter shows,” continued the journalist. “He came here in 2010 as a researcher and joined the management team of the statistics and information group in 2018.”

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Scott got teary-eyed as he described Jones’ most important legacy, which wasn’t tied to his work at the sports-focused network.

ESPN anchor Randy Scott breaks down on air and announces the death of colleague Zach Jones at the age of 41

Randy Scott X/Randy Scott

“More importantly, he got married here. He raised a family here. The Stanford (University) graduate loved The Cardinal and he loved golf,” Scott said, choking up on camera. “He loved his wife, Amber, and he loved his son Silas. He turned 10 last month. He lost his father three days before Christmas.”

The anchor recalled seeing Jones “just a few weeks ago” in the cafeteria, noting that he was “hopeful” and “reflective,” telling him, “He just wanted his family to be okay after a recent move to Texas.”

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Scott explained that Jones “fought like hell” during his cancer battle and “he gets to rest now.” He signed off by saying, “We love you mate” and sharing a photo of his late colleague with his family.

Scott shared SportsCenter clip via X on Mondayand called Jones, “Our friend, Amber’s husband, and Silas’ father.”

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companion SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi also paid tribute to their friend via social media.

“May you rest in peace Zach. A devoted father who loved golf, the Chargers and his family,” he wrote via X on Monday. “He was a fantastic researcher and had the perfect demeanor for television. He will be missed by so many. Sending all our love to his wife, son and their family. F- cancer.”

ESPN colleague Gregg Colli commented on Negandhi’s post, answers“Zach was the best. The original fantasy football researcher who handled a ridiculous amount of work with a smile and no complaints. He was as good a person as it gets. Cancer sucks!”