Former ESPN broadcaster dies at age 79
Former ESPN broadcaster Ron Franklin has passed away at the age of 79.
Franklin, who worked for the Worldwide Leader from 1987 to 2011, was a big part of the network’s college football and college basketball coverage, with a focus on the Big 12.
Many in the media paid their respects to Franklin after learning the news of his Tuesday death, including his former broadcast parter, Fran Fraschilla:
Just heard the sad news that my former @espn colleague, Ron Franklin, has passed away. An amazing broadcasting talent & a good man. Was a part of so many great @Big12Conference broadcasts with him. RIP, partner. pic.twitter.com/e2KhP59y8Q
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 19, 2022
Just got the sad news that my friend Ron Franklin has passed away.
If you’re a sports fan, you knew Ron Franklin and his amazing voice. Incredibly talented and knowledgeable and very nice and gracious. RIP.
??✝️❤️— Mike Barnes (@MikeBarnesMedia) January 19, 2022
Franklin’s ESPN career wasn’t without controversy, though, as he was fired in 2011, per this Awful Announcing report:
Franklin was fired from ESPN in 2011 after making sexist comments to sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards in a production meeting ahead of the Chick-fil-A Bowl. He also drew criticism for a comment made to sideline reporter Holly Rowe during an ESPN college football broadcast in 2005.
Prior to joining ESPN, Franklin had quite a career in Texas, working for the Houston Oilers and Texas Longhorns as their play-by-play man.
