Longtime Tennessee beat writer Wes Rucker passed away in a car crash in Knoxville on Thursday.
Rucker’s father-in-law confirmed his passing in a post on Facebook, saying the family is “heartbroken.” Rucker, 43, leaves behind his wife, Lauren, and son, Hank. His family is expecting another child later this year.
Rucker was involved in a multi-car crash on I-40 West in Knoxville Thursday evening. According to a statement from the Knoxville Police Department, the crash was caused when a vehicle rear-ended another vehicle that was stopped in traffic, setting off a chain reaction. A large truck then ran into and on top of Rucker’s vehicle. Rucker was the only fatality in the accident.
Rucker covered football and basketball at the University of Tennessee for WBIR Channel 10, and he had worked with the program since 2000. He also hosted several podcasts as part of his work covering the Vols, including 10 at 3 with Wes Rucker, the GoVols247 podcast during his time with 247 Sports, and The Wes Rucker Show on ESPN Radio Knoxville.
“I’m just trying to be the example that you want to set in the world,” Rucker said Thursday on 10 at 3 with Wes Rucker.
Following the news of his passing, tributes flowed in from all across the college sports media landscape. Some of those are below.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
