USA DAWN: NEWS AND UPDATES

Longtime ESPN broadcaster John Saunders has died at the age of 61 The sports TV host did job without ego for ESPN for nearly 30 years, unexpectedly died Tuesday night at age 61 I was sitting at my computer Wednesday morning when the phone rang. “I have some terrible news.” The trembling voice belonged to Joe Valerio, the longtime producer of ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters.” I have been a part of that show for more than 20 years. But in a million years, I would not have guessed the next words out of Joe’s mouth. “John Saunders died last night.” I’m still at that computer now, hours later, writing these words because I don’t know how else to steel myself against the oncoming grief. I saw John every few weeks for the last 15 years. I was to see him this weekend. Now he’s gone. That fast? That fast. The quickest trip we take is the journey from this world to the next. But life, not death, should be the John Saunders story today. So let me tell you about his life. ...