R.I.P. John Saunders: Longtime ESPN Host Dies At The Age Of 61! (Stephen A. Smith Fights Back Tears Remembering Him)

John Saunders, one of the familiar on-air faces of ESPN for nearly 30 years, has died. He was 61. A Toronto native and Ryerson University alumni, Saunders was the first play-by-play man for the Raptors, a role he held from 1995 until 2001. Saunders joined ESPN in 1986 and became a versatile star at the network, covering numerous Stanley Cup Finals and World Series, doing play-by-play for various sports and hosting The Sports Reporters, SportsCenter and several other studio shows. But above all else, Saunders was a role model for many and will be remembered by his peers for his humanity, dignity and professionalism. R.I.P. John Saunders. Posted By Persist