Ad Disclosure
The sports community is mourning the loss of ESPN reporter Edward Aschoff, who has passed away after a battle with pneumonia he apparently caught from covering the Ohio State-Michigan game on Nov. 30.
Aschoff, whose birthday is also Dec. 24, was a native of Oxford, Mississippi and alumnus of the University of Florida’s journalism school (2004-08). He covered the UF recruiting beat, along with football, basketball and baseball, for the Gainesville Sun before leaving to join ESPN in 2011. At ESPN, he contributed to the online SEC blog before eventually becoming a college football reporter for both online and TV, including sideline reporting and appearances on shows such as “Finebaum.” Aschoff’s friend and former Gainesville Sun colleague Zach Abolverdi shared the devastating news:
Devastated to hear my friend @AschoffESPN has passed away after a battle with pneumonia.
Ed was a big reason I decided to pursue journalism. He took me under his wing at the Sun and I’m forever grateful.
Incredible reporter and an even better person. You will be missed! pic.twitter.com/OIVvAYM5Kl
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) December 25, 2019
Aschoff’s most recent shared feature on his Twitter account focused on LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire:
LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire had always been overlooked until this season. He gets a lot of his strength from his three parents. Family means everything to him and you can see that every weekend just by looking at the name on the back of his jersey https://t.co/EZtyWcMM5x
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) December 6, 2019
Tributes have already been shared online by friends and colleagues:
One of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know. My heart breaks for his fiancé and his family. https://t.co/JvwdoV0I8c
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) December 25, 2019
Ed was always the first with a kind word, some encouraging advice, a connection that could help in the business.
I owe a lot of where I am now to him. The world lost a great one. Truly one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. https://t.co/Onoa0bXqv7
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) December 25, 2019
My heart dropped finding this out. Ed was a great reporter, an incredible friend and an even better person who I’ve known since I really began journalism back at UF. I can’t believe this is real, and on his birthday, too. Just unimaginable.
You’ll be missed, brother. https://t.co/vZzrltwIfA
— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) December 25, 2019
Oh man…such tragic and terrible news. @AschoffESPN is a great reporter and one of the best people in our business. Been on the show a hundred times. I can’t believe this. https://t.co/pQRdnizw97
— Gabe Bock (@GabeBock) December 25, 2019
RIP @AschoffESPN. I’m heartbroken.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) December 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/38Godfrey/status/1209638379262029824
Ed was pure sunshine and I don’t know anyone who loved his people harder. I’m devastated. https://t.co/w3jkIjbwbF
— ?BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL? (@edsbs) December 25, 2019
This is devastating. A real gut punch. We have lost a fantastic reporter whose career was in a meteoric rise. But we also lost a great man, a dedicated friend and a wonderful human being. Awful. Godspeed my friend, godspeed. https://t.co/NZMmVoC1wZ
— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) December 25, 2019
Devestated. At a complete loss for words. All of us on the Gator beat were so happy for Ed when he got the ESPN job. https://t.co/SYhpCiJ9qd
— Andy Olson (@ByAndrewOlson) December 25, 2019
This absolutely breaks my heart. I’m in disbelief right now. One of the best guys I’ve ever met. https://t.co/aygnZ1Mbf8
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 25, 2019
This is such a gut punch. Ed is truly one of the nicest, best guys you could possibly meet. Brutal loss for not only our business but for everyone. Damn it https://t.co/CwUQgEb1sP
— John Talty (@JTalty) December 25, 2019
Oh my God. Ed was roasting myself and others on the #Alabama beat a few months ago for our candy draft.
He was a joy to be around, and we will miss @AschoffESPN dearly. https://t.co/YaoImMSSbE
— Brett Hudson (@Brett_Hudson) December 25, 2019
Ed was a fantastic person. Helped me a lot early on in my career.
Always had a smile on his face and was easily the best dressed reporter in the game.
The industry lost a great reporter and personality. Thinking of his family during this incredibly difficult time. https://t.co/2zS9ho43Dc
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) December 25, 2019
Such sad news. Lots of #Gators fans either know or remember Ed from his coverage for @GainesvilleSun … Went on to big things with @espn and had a smile and kind word each time he came back to town. #RIP https://t.co/gcfJlrmgw4
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) December 25, 2019
I can't believe this. I am so sorry for his family. Ed was a talented young man with a great sense of humor. Always enjoyed speaking with him and appreciative of his work. https://t.co/fpGBRc3pCY
— Mark McLeod (@McLeodLive) December 25, 2019
I'm in disbelief. Unreal.
Ed was one of the nicest guys in the biz & I respected his professionalism.
We lost a good one.
— Brian Holland (@BHollandSports) December 25, 2019
This is just awful. Ed was one of my close friends in the media and helped me out in so many ways. I can’t believe it. God speed Ed. Going to miss ya buddy. https://t.co/ZtTgXr00Ka
— John Nabors (@JohnNaborsShow) December 25, 2019
I just heard about this. Incredible. Fantastic guy, great reporter. Loved college football. Was passionate about his teams, which he adopted as expansion teams… the @Panthers and @Raptors…. always loved my conversations with him. Thinking about his family. https://t.co/n9mDz6UCMs
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 25, 2019
I am just devastated to hear this. @AschoffESPN was just an incredible guy, as genuine as they come and a great friend. RIP Ed. You’ll be missed. https://t.co/pPcL0b62sa
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) December 25, 2019
Just completely stunned to hear of the passing of my friend, ESPN’s Edward Aschoff, from pneumonia. A true pro in this business and honest to God one of the nicest guys in this business that you’ll find. My heart aches. Damn… pic.twitter.com/GqppPO7h3I
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) December 25, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers to Aschoff’s fiancée and his family at this difficult time.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
