Former ESPN inside John Clayton died Friday at age 67 after a brief illness.
Tributes poured in via social media after the news was announced.
Heartbroken. 💔
Rest In Peace, The Professor. pic.twitter.com/xFGdTYstnT
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 19, 2022
I want to send my sincere condolences to John Clayton's family. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Thank you for your time and the love you always poured into your profession. You are a role model to many, in life and sport. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ECTyYgzT5u
— WALTER JONES (@BigWalt71) March 19, 2022
I did my very first draft for ESPN on #ESPNRadio in 2014 in NYC with John Clayton, Mark Schlereth, and Dari Nowkhah. John could not have been nicer, more professional,more helpful to me. And we had never even met before that event. Says a lot about him. Says everything. #RIP JC
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 19, 2022
John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.
We loved John. We are mourning his loss.
Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information.— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 19, 2022
My friend of 22 years John Clayton died. He was one of those colleagues who was not only always eager to help you, but went above and beyond to help. He took his work seriously, with all his files and spreadsheets, but not himself. RIP to a gentleman and Hall of Famer.
— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) March 19, 2022
John Clayton, one of our NFL insiders who expertly covered the league for more than 20 years at ESPN, died Friday at 67 after a brief illness.
We all learned something from "The Professor" over the years and we will miss him dearly. pic.twitter.com/bfiPCPUYZo
— ESPN (@espn) March 19, 2022
Clayton’s fame grew with his fabulous role in a This Is SportsCenter commercial.
The tributes:
Here’s John Clayton with Slayer backstage at their 2013 Seattle show pic.twitter.com/Sjd0AIjuju
— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) March 19, 2022
We join the sports community in mourning the passing of Hall of Fame broadcaster and Seattle legend, John Clayton. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/PG3lY0aanh
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 19, 2022
Longtime Hall of Fame Selector and NFL writer/insider John Clayton has passed away at the age of 67.
His impact and contribution to the game of football will be missed. pic.twitter.com/kRtnAXWeiF
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) March 19, 2022
Deeply saddened by the loss of John Clayton, a fixture of ESPN's NFL coverage. A true gentleman who was kind, especially to those younger who were just beginning to understand how to cover pro football…
RIP to this HOF'er.— Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) March 19, 2022
The day I left the Star Tribune and took a job in radio, John Clayton called me with advice and every time I talked to him his enthusiasm for the business and what I was doing felt special. He always made time for our show. RIP my friend.
— Judd Zulgad (@jzulgad) March 19, 2022
Hall of Fame broadcaster and NFL insider, John Clayton, passed away today.
Condolences to his family and to all who were impacted by John's presence in the sports media world ♥️ pic.twitter.com/blu9R3geuk
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) March 19, 2022
Rest In Peace, John Clayton. My heartfelt condolences to Pat and the family. ❤️🙏
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) March 19, 2022
John Clayton will be remembered in so many ways, from how he looked after his wife Pat, to the mark he made in reporting, to the standard he set. He dedicated his life to his wife and to football. He was a pioneer, a caretaker, a Hall of Famer and a slayer, in every sense. pic.twitter.com/34rFeSjiEW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2022
I loved talking with John during the breaks before his hits. A really sweet man.
This commercial made his legend grow even more.
RIP John Clayton.— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) March 19, 2022
“Mom! I’m done with my segment!” -John Clayton
RIP Legend pic.twitter.com/I8C956tB6f
— Felipe (@FelipeRobles36) March 19, 2022
We are saddened to hear of the passing of our colleague John Clayton. He was a tremendous writer, great football journalist, and friend to so many at The Fan and beyond. We offer our condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/2iSYmajtVw
— Denver's Sports Station 104.3 The Fan (@1043TheFan) March 19, 2022
There was never a question he didn’t have an answer to. Grew up listening and watching this man. Gentle, smart as hell and worked his ass off! It was a pleasure working and learning from you @JohnClaytonNFL . This is crazy. LEGEND #JohnClayton #RIP #NFL #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/ruM77lH4DZ
— Michael Bumpus (@michaelbumpus5) March 19, 2022
Like a lot of Seattle sports fans, I looked up to John; I’ll never forget when he emerged from Hall of Fame voting to tell me, excitedly, that Kenny Easley got in. He loved Seahawks football and we loved him for it. RIP to a kind, thoughtful man. https://t.co/HLUjXurkir
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 19, 2022
John Clayton was the kindest person. This was my first sideline job for the NFL. He found me, gave me advice, gave me some information for the broadcast and as always, wanted to talk about Braddock, PA. Thank you for everything John, I am so grateful for your friendship. RIP ♥️ pic.twitter.com/i28uOSexT0
— Joy Taylor (@JoyTaylorTalks) March 19, 2022
John Clayton, good friend, great reporter. Be at ease.
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) March 19, 2022
The PFWA mourns the passing of John Clayton. John was the PFWA's 19th president (1999-2000) and the organization's 2007 Bill Nunn Jr. Award recipient. "The Professor" was a friend to so many in our business. Our condolences to his wife Pat, family, colleagues and his many friends pic.twitter.com/66XLBeAXYF
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) March 19, 2022
Saddened to hear of the passing of John Clayton.
When I joined ESPN he shepherded me through all the shows, made sure I knew my way around.
Liked and respected not only by all in media but by all NFL team coaches and executives.
Humble, selfless, gem of a guy. What a loss. pic.twitter.com/WTltyCne9K— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) March 19, 2022
The NFL won’t be the same without John Clayton. I met him in Pittsburgh more than 40 years ago. He and Pat were regulars at Super Bowls, Pro Bowls and league meetings. John was a pro in every sense of the word. RIP to the guy who made the best SportsCenter commercial in history!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 19, 2022
I’m heartbroken to hear the news of my dear friend John Clayton’s passing. He was so kind and gracious with his time I will forever be grateful. I pray 🙏🏼 for peace that surpasses understanding for his wife Patricia and his friends and family. RIP pic.twitter.com/9iWw6RmQl2
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) March 19, 2022
I called John Clayton 10 days ago to ask him why Seattle would trade away Russell Wilson.
His reply: "Because they're stupid."
A straightshooter to the end. He was as big as it gets in this biz. Always admired his love and devotion to his wife Pat. So bummed. RIP. #9sports— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) March 19, 2022
To the professor. The architect of the greatest SportsCentrer commercial ever. Heaven just gained an insider for the ages https://t.co/hjZbvkUeRx
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 19, 2022