Emotional Outpouring of Tributes Honor the Memory of ESPN’s Chicago Bears Reporter Jeff Dickerson
Jeff Dickerson, ESPN NFL Nation Reporter and Chicago sports fixture, passed away Tuesday
"JD was one of the most positive people you will ever meet," said ESPN deputy editor for digital NFL coverage Heather Burns
ESPN colleagues remember Jeff: https://t.co/sbVc2f4jMq
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) December 28, 2021
Wednesday continued an outpouring of tributes and memories for ESPN’s NFL Nation Reporter for the Chicago Bears, Jeff Dickerson, who died Tuesday of complications from colon cancer. He was 44.
Dickerson, whose wife, Caitlin, passed away two years ago – also from cancer complications, is survived by a son, Parker, and Jeff’s parents, George and Sandy Dickerson.
ESPN 1000 in Chicago is honoring Dickerson throughout the day:
Our hearts ache as we share that our teammate & friend, Jeff Dickerson, has passed away. JD was an amazing son, husband, father & friend. We will miss his smile, his love for his family & his love for all the fans of Chicago. You will live in our hearts forever. We love you JD. pic.twitter.com/LVo6dyQxtU
— ESPN 1000 (@ESPN1000) December 28, 2021
Today, on ESPN 1000, we remember our friend and colleague, Jeff Dickerson, who passed away yesterday. We'll start at 7 am and go all day and evening, both mourning his loss and celebrating his life and career. Tune in if you can and feel free to participate at 312-332-3776.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 29, 2021
Matt Nagy had this to say:
Coach Nagy opened today's presser by offering his thoughts and prayers to Jeff Dickerson’s family, including his son, Parker.
"It's a tough day for all of us." pic.twitter.com/kxcYh9OKBn
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 29, 2021
Dickerson’s impact on those who knew him was profound:
For ESPN Radio, you audition on another show. My audition was with Jeff Dickerson/Hood. Dickerson treated me like an equal and made me shine. He could have ignored me. Instead, Jeff Dickerson made room for me and ESPN radio gave me a shot. And that changed my life. RIP, brother.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) December 28, 2021
Couldn’t find the words yesterday, but read and listened to so many poignant ones about Jeff Dickerson.
A gem of a man gone far too soon. So kind, selfless and optimistic despite trying times. A devoted, loving dad to Parker, and great at his craft. https://t.co/OJGf8IL3P9
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 29, 2021
https://twitter.com/DawnAtFOX9/status/1476229463222411280?s=20
Jeff Dickerson was a top guy. The absolute best. Every interaction with him made you feel better than before it began. He was relentlessly positive—like, to the point you could mistake him for a phony if you didn’t realize that his light simply shined that brightly.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) December 29, 2021
Dickerson graduated from Buffalo Grove High School in suburban Chicago and attended the University of Illinois-Champaign. He began covering the Bears for ESPN 1000 radio in 2001, added digital coverage to his duties in 2009 at ESPNChicago.com and then transitioned to ESPN.com in 2013. Along the way, he hosted “Dickerson and Hood” on ESPN radio, served as a television analyst for Loyola men’s basketball and worked as a sports reporter for ABC Channel 7 in Chicago.
He was on the board for the Vaughn McClure Foundation, established this year to honor the memory of McClure, a friend and colleague of Dickerson’s, who passed away unexpectedly in October of 2020.
This tribute aired overnight on ESPN.
