John Brenkus, Emmy-Winning Host Of ESPN's 'Sport Science', Dies At 54
His death was confirmed via a post on his official X account.
Brenkus battled depression, losing his fight on May 31, 2025.
John Brenkus, the Emmy Award-winning host and co-creator of ESPN's acclaimed series Sport Science, has died at the age of 54. The news was confirmed through a post on his official X account, which said the television personality had been battling depression.
"John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025," the statement read, requesting privacy for his grieving family and friends. It also urged those struggling with depression to seek help.
pic.twitter.com/RdjqbQXBr9
— John Brenkus (@johnbrenkus_) June 2, 2025
Brenkus was also the founder of Brinx.TV and co-founder of the production company Base Productions. Widely recognised for bringing scientific insight into the world of sports, Sport Science used technology to break down athletic performance and debunk sports myths. The show first aired on FOX Sports in 2007 before moving to ESPN, where it went on to win six Emmys.
In 2023, Brenkus publicly spoke about his mental health struggles in a candid conversation with his ESPN colleague and former NFL player Marcellus Wiley. Recounting a particularly dark period after he had sold his company and was living in Park City, Utah, Brenkus described experiencing severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
"I was flat-out suicidal," he revealed, adding that his dog, Zeppelin, ultimately saved his life by interrupting his suicide attempt. Following that experience, Brenkus sought professional help and eventually found support through a psychiatrist in Virginia. He said at the time that he had not experienced depression since then.
Wiley reposted the announcement of Brenkus' death with a brief tribute, writing "RIP" alongside prayer and heart emojis.
Remembered as "an innovator, an entertainer and an educator," Brenkus leaves behind a legacy that redefined how fans understand sports through the lens of science.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ella McCay trailer out: Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis chemistry wins hearts in this political-comedy drama
Ella McCay trailer out: Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis chemistry wins hearts in this political-comedy drama The makers of Emma Mackey starrer 'Ella McCay' have finally released the trailer of the film, offering a glimpse of a heartfelt chemistry between lead actors Emma and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film is helmed by Oscar-winning director James L Brooks to mark his return to direction on the big screen after over two decades. According to Deadline, Emma Mackey stars as the titular character, an idealistic young woman in the movie who juggles her family and work life as a politician in a comedy about the people you love and how to survive them. The film is slated to release in the theatres on December 12, 2025. The two-minute and thirty-five-second trailer opens with actress Julie Kavner's character prefacing the story as its narrator. "I'm here to provide facts about Ella McCay. I've worked for her ever since she finished law school, so I'm not exactly neutral. I'm nuts about her," says Kavner, who voiced Marge in The Simpsons. The trailer then cuts to MacKey's character, Ella, stepping out of an escort car to talk to her aunt Helen, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, about "a ridiculously serious problem." The video clip then introduces Ella's estranged father, played by Woody Harrelson , adding more problems in her already obstacle-prone life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Her aunt warns that she is about to add to McCay's problems because Ella's estranged father (Woody Harrelson) has come back into her life, as shown in the clip. As per the trailer, Ella becomes governor and shares an emotional moment with her aunt, thinking about her mother. Later in the clip, Helen encourages Ella to let a good scream out to let her frustration out, but she fears she won't be able to stop. At the end, the pair trade primal screams. The 20th Century Studios (the official distributor of the film) shared the trailer of the film on their Instagram handle. The cast of Ella McCay also includes Jack Lowden as Ella's husband, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Fearn, Rebecca Hall, Julie Kavner, Becky Ann Baker, Joey Brooks and Albert Brooks .
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Pink Villa
‘It's an Honor': Jenna Ortega Opens Up About Her Wednesday Dance Going Viral Ahead of Season 2 Premiere
Jenna Ortega is set to reprise her role of Wednesday Addams in season 2 of the Netflix show. As the cast members gear up for the big premiere, the actress opens up about her dance from the first season that went viral on the internet. The first bunch of episodes was dropped in 2022, and what caught the attention of the fans was the weird moves that were performed by Ortega's character in episode 4. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, the actress shared that it was unexpected for the dance routine to go viral on social media. She went on to call it an 'honor.' Jenna Ortega on viral Wednesday dance While in a conversation with the media portal, Jenna Ortega opened up about Wednesday's viral weird dance that got the internet talking. She said, 'It's an honor, and it was very unexpected. Oftentimes, you make these jobs and you never know what will come of them or if anyone will watch them.' The actress further added, 'So, the reception and excitement for what we worked on and accomplished here in season one is just something that I'm very grateful for and it still surprises me.' Elsewhere in the talks, the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star went on to share how she has been handling the spotlight amid the global success of Wednesday season 1. Ortega revealed, 'It's been a pretty tremendous impact and an unexpected one. I have just been grateful and honored. It's such a pleasure, as you hope that you're able to connect with people when you do these things; maybe it matters to someone, and it does.' What can fans expect from Wednesday season 2? As for Wednesday season 2, Ortega's character will return to the Nevermore Academy. The new bunch of episodes will focus on Wednesday's ability to save Enid from death. As for the plot, the official synopsis reads, 'While attending Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago.' Apart from Jenna Ortega, the new season will bring back Joanna Lumley, Haley Joel Osment, and Emma Myers, as well as the Grammy-winning singer, Lady Gaga. Wednesday season 2 will release in two parts. The first part will be out on August 6, 2025, and the other half will be dropped on September 3, 2025.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Philadelphia Eagles trade DT Thomas Booker IV to Las Vegas Raiders for CB Jakorian Bennett
(Image via Getty: Thomas Booker IV and Jakorian Bennett) Training camp is a period of heated trade exchanges and intense practice. Every NFL team solidifies its 53-man roster before the season begins–because once the season's on, no chances can be drawn or called upon. Keeping this in mind, Nick Sirianni's Philadelphia Eagles are trading their defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV in exchange for Pete Carroll's Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett. NFL Insider Adam Schefter introduced this trade exchange to cyberspace Adam Schefter wrote on X, 'Trade: Raiders are sending CB Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles in exchange for DT Thomas Booker IV, per sources.' Another NFL Insider, Ian Rapoport, further elaborated, 'The #Eagles acquire CB Jakorian Bennett, a former fourth round, while the #Raiders beef up their D-line with Thomas Booker, a former fifth round DT.' How did cyberspace react? Let's discover. How many cornerbacks do the Philadelphia Eagles need? Ian Rapoport's X declaration attracted a lot of questions. From–Is cornerback Jakorian Bennett any good–to–How many cornerbacks do the Eagles need. The question is sincere because the Eagles already have six, let us repeat, six cornerbacks in their active roster: Adoree' Jackson Eli Ricks Quinyon Mitchell Mac McWilliams Kelee Ringo Parry Nickerson Just days before their first 2025 preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Super Bowl LIX-winning team amplified their cornerback space with Las Vegas Raiders CB Jakorian Bennett. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Now, coming to the other question–How good is Bennett? Jakorian Bennett stats The Raiders drafted the 24-year-old cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft as their fourth-round, 104th overall pick. He played two seasons for them. Jakorian accumulated 58 total tackles, 39 solo tackles, 19 assist tackles, and 11 passes defended in a total of 24 games played. When many netizens were doubting Bennett's capabilities, one fan felt confident for him, 'Now look how he miraculously makes to pro bowl.' Who's going to take Bennett's place in Pete Carroll's team? Eagles (now, former) defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV. Let's discuss him. Philadelphia Eagles fans–Thomas Booker IV any good? When fans were doubting Jakorian's capabilities for the reigning champions–Philadelphia Eagles, they did not spare Las Vegas Raiders' newest entrant either. A fan questioned–Eagles fans, Booker any good? While another assuredly wrote, 'Texans legend headed to Vegas.' The Houston Texans drafted the 25-year-old DT in the 2022 NFL draft as their fifth-round, 150th overall pick. Booker IV played for just one season for them. He got traded to the Eagles in the 2023 season. The next season? He became a Super Bowl LIX champion! What do his stats look like? Thomas Booker IV stats In a total of 27 games, the former Texans and Eagles DT notched 33 total tackles, 19 solo tackles, 14 assist tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. Last year, Booker IV accumulated 18 tackles and a sack in 17 games played for the Eagles. Booker IV will take up the space left by Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Christian Wilkins was released from Las Vegas Raiders for kissing teammate on head On July 28, a source told Adam Schefter that Christian Wilkins was released by the Las Vegas Raiders for kissing a fellow team player on the head. The teammate took offense and complained to the human resources department. The department investigated the incident. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll did not want to comment on it– 'I have no comment to make. We made a decision on what we're doing, and we're moving with it.' Another Raiders DT, Adam Butler, told ESPN, 'Whatever you're going through as a person, athlete, non-athlete or whoever, whatever your struggle is, if you've got something going on in life, just talk to somebody. Get some therapy. Somebody out there in this world will hear you out.' Apart from this incident, another reason for Wilkins' departure was that he was recovering from a Jones fracture–a broken bone on the pinky toe side of the foot. Also Read: Cleveland Browns sign 6th QB Tyler Huntley amidst growing QB competition | NFL News - Times of India Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
