Kyle Brown, an ESPN director who worked at the company for more than 16 years, died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency at the NCAA baseball super regional in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He was 42.
Some colleagues shared their thoughts with Front Row.
“Kyle and I have had the opportunity to spend a good amount of time together on the road these last few years. When not working, a lot of that time has been in and out of restaurants and coffee shops talking about family trips and all his kids’ sporting events. There is no one I championed more as a colleague and as a person. A family man first and foremost, there wasn’t anything he cherished more than his time with [wife] Megan and his four children. Kyle not only succeeded in this industry but succeeded in making all those around him feel special. Kyle was truly loved by all. My heart goes out his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.” – Producer Scott Gustafson
“To know Kyle was to know greatness. Everything he did in life was through the lens of how do I make this great. He always strived to better himself, but more importantly better those around him.” – Director Jimmy Platt
“We always had stimulating conversations on work and life. He loved directing and was excellent at it. Kyle will be remembered as a great husband, father, son, and special friend to many.” – Coordinating Director Phil Skender
“I first met Kyle when he was in seventh grade. He immediately stood out as an exceptional athlete and as I got to know him I found him to be an even better person. He and his high school girlfriend used to babysit my four kids and my boys particularly liked Kyle because he would throw footballs and baseballs with them for hours. I was happy to help him get his foot in the door at ESPN when he finished college. I’m proud of the fact that he was well on his way to being an elite director. Now he’s gone way too soon. Our hearts are heavy with his loss.” – Director Scott Johnson
“Kyle was an admired co-worker and beloved teammate to all he encountered. His loss is unimaginable. Personally, I will always cherish watching him spend endless hours, tirelessly playing with my toddlers, many years ago. His passion for family, friends and his work was unmatched. He will be terribly missed.” – VP, Production, Phil Orlins
Some other friends and colleagues took to social media to mourn Brown, a former Ohio State baseball captain.
We are all shocked and distraught by the loss of Kyle Brown. Wonderful coworker. just devastating. https://t.co/8xbjiGLngD
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) June 11, 2023
We lost a gem of a person and a friend yesterday. Please hug your loved ones tight today. Will miss you immensely KB. https://t.co/8w6aght64g
— Kris Budden (@KrisBudden) June 11, 2023
This is such devastating news that we received this weekend. I worked with Kyle for many years on our ABC Saturday Night Prime package. He was the epitome of professional and was as good of a teammate as you could hope for. He was our iso producer working hand in hand with our… https://t.co/KLejxViwfy
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) June 12, 2023
Completely devastated. Kyle was the kindest, most genuine human. Praying hard for the family he loved so beautifully. https://t.co/in2mEOTTfV
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) June 11, 2023
Kyle Brown was a good man, proud Buckeye and an amazing maker of television. If you’re a sports fan who has consumed any ESPN over the last decade and a half then you have benefited from Kyle’s hard work. Hug your loved ones. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
pic.twitter.com/7AI8ABQbT9— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) June 11, 2023
This is unspeakably sad. Kyle Brown was a rock of consistency as a professional and as a person. My interactions with him were ALWAYS upbeat, full of positivity, unconditionally supportive, full of laughter, and I left feeling better for having talked to him every time. My… https://t.co/yIJBVPK5zC
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) June 11, 2023
Spent last few years with Kyle Brown on our @Big12Conference basketball coverage. We shared a common love of the Buckeyes. Heartbreaking news yesterday. Praying for his beautiful family.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) June 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/MikeMonaco_/status/1667938128349499393
Such tragic news to hear on Saturday. Like many who worked with Kyle over the years I became a big fan from just a couple weeks sharing @accnetwork 🏈. Grateful for the experience and sending prayers to his friends & family. https://t.co/DU6nJI1MWz
— 𝐖𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐦 (@WesDurham) June 11, 2023
Hard to believe and impossible to fathom. Thinking of everyone who knew and loved KB — a first-rate guy who made every show better. https://t.co/kFPPZTUiME pic.twitter.com/2jBjEkUKU1
— Drew Carter (@Drewdle25) June 11, 2023
This is brutal news…beyond being a very talented person, much more importantly Kyle was simply as nice a guy as you’d ever want to meet…a genuinely good person. We spent a lot of time together. Please say a prayer for his family https://t.co/2GAaN6sd77
— Bob Wischusen (@espnbob) June 11, 2023
🙏 Thoughts and prayers to Kyle’s family. Always heard great things about him as a person, as a dad and husband, and about his passion for sports. https://t.co/ZCIqhcOilG
— Roy Philpott (@RoyPhilpott) June 11, 2023
Kyle was an immediate friend to the people he worked with. He brought pure passion to his work – and was damn good at what he did. Praying so hard for his family. ❤️🙏 https://t.co/ZxhDHjmsDR
— Alyssa Lang (@AlyssaLang) June 11, 2023
Just devastating. Kyle was an incredible human being and a tremendous colleague. He will be dearly missed. Condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
— Meg Aronowitz (@megaronowitz) June 11, 2023
I’ve been struggling to find the words. Kyle & I connected quickly my first year at ESPN thanks to our Ohio ties. He was a deeply supportive teammate, a brilliant director, & LOVED being a dad. Sending love to all, especially his family & our teammates at the W-S Super Regional. https://t.co/L73oCCTAcM
— Amanda Brooks (@BrooksAD) June 11, 2023
This is tough. Kyle was our director on ACC Primetime Football this past year. I was blessed to get to work with him throughout the season, I greatly appreciated him and he greatly appreciated me. A stand up guy who was just a joy to be around. Sending love to the Brown family❤️ https://t.co/emYmTqoweJ
— Justin Morris (@JustinMorris_TX) June 11, 2023
Yesterday was one of the toughest days. Everyone loved KB. All my love to his family, he absolutely lit up with joy every time he spoke about each one of them. Hug your loved ones, we never know how much time we have. 🤍 https://t.co/H7vb4QFdYy
— Bayley Zarrehparvar (@BayleySZarr) June 11, 2023
Heartbroken. One of the absolute best people I’ve ever worked with. He will be missed beyond words. https://t.co/KJkkZgeUHb
— Megan White Daly (@MWDaly136) June 11, 2023
I’m heartbroken because Kyle was a teammate, close friend, groomsman at my wedding and the guy I always went to for advice.
But I’m gutted because he was a wonderful husband and father of 4 fantastic kids.
They were his heart, his life, his everything.There are no words. https://t.co/E0oQrE5GLI
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) June 11, 2023
Called Kyle 5 days ago to, per usual, get his advice on some things.
Per usual, it was immensely helpful.
Per usual, we spent most of the call talking about our kids, swapping hilarious/absurd stories.
Per usual, finished the call with three words: “Love ya brother”
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) June 11, 2023
Just crushing news for any of us who knew or had the pleasure of working with Kyle. A great part of our early MNF team. He loved his family, his Buckeyes baseball and golf. Praying for his family and friends. https://t.co/iN8xq9z49X
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) June 11, 2023
Kyle Brown was one of my earliest producers on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive. He made morning television so much fun and helped this newbie find his feet. He loved his family, loved his TV family, loved his Buckeyes, and he loved his golf. Such a good man and such a big loss. https://t.co/j44lIUIi0p
— Damon Hack (@damonhackGC) June 12, 2023
Heartbreaking.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) June 11, 2023
We are saddened to learn of Kyle’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of his loved ones. https://t.co/2ZjpJXB39y
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) June 11, 2023
The Division I Baseball Committee and NCAA staff send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Kyle Brown and ESPN. We will be supportive of any adjustments that our broadcast partner ESPN must make during this difficult time. https://t.co/3QS6D8gXUs
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 11, 2023
Former OSU Head Baseball Coach Bob Todd remembers his former pitcher/ESPN director Kyle Brown who died suddenly Saturday.
MORE: Former OSU pitcher passes away unexpectedly https://t.co/Kb7Dwf85IT pic.twitter.com/YaaliquAzF
— Clay Hall (@claywsyx6) June 11, 2023
RIP to my ESPN coworker and Ohio State Buckeye brother for life, Kyle Brown. His passing is absolutely awful and tragic horrific news. Sending love to his family at this time. 💔
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) June 11, 2023
