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ESPN SportsCenter anchor Randy Scott announced the death of colleague Zach Jones from colorectal cancer in an emotional on-air segment. Zach was 41.
In Memoriam: Fallen Sports Stars of 2024
The ESPN family has lost a beloved member.
Anchor Randy Scott shared that research manager Zach Jones died on Dec. 22 after a two-year battle with colorectal cancer "that had metastasized before his diagnosis." Zach was 41.
"You may have never seen him on your screens," Randy said during Dec. 23's SportsCenter, holding back tears, "but you saw his work on our live golf coverage or our women's college basketball coverage, or on any of our SportsCenter shows."
Randy added that Zach started at ESPN in 2010, and importantly, "he got married here. He started a family here."
"He loved his wife, Amber, and he loved his son, Silas," the broadcaster continued, "who turned 10 last month and who lost his dad three days before Christmas."
Randy recalled seeing Zach in the office cafeteria a few weeks before his death, saying that Zach "was hopeful, but he was also reflective."
"He said he just wanted his family to be okay after a recent move to Texas," Randy noted. "He fought like hell. He gets to rest now. We love you buddy."
Many of Zach's colleagues also took a moment to share their remembrances of him.
"I was fortunate to work with Zach for many years. What a wonderful, joyful person," one wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Dec. 23. "Grateful knowing Zach is resting in heaven after his courageous battle. Praying for his wife and son.
Instagram/Amber Jones
Another added, "This one hits really hard. Loved working with Zach; always humble, smart, caring, a subtle wit, hard working. R.I.P."
And one X user reflected on the death of his own father as he shared his hopes for Zach's son Silas.
"I lost my dad to cancer when I was 13," he wrote. "This boy may not realize it now, but if his dad was the kind of dad it sounds like he was, he will still remember their brief time together many years later, maybe even when he's a dad himself."
Zach's wife Amber had been documenting much of his cancer battle over the past two years, and was grateful to Randy and the rest of the crew at ESPN for their kind words.
"I will forever love and miss Zach. We prayed him home to be with Jesus yesterday," she wrote on Instagram Dec. 23. "Thank you @randyscott for your beautiful tribute to Zach. @espn has been an incredible place for him to work."
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