Ron Franklin, who referred to as school basketball and soccer for ESPN for over 20 years, died on the age of 79 this week. Tributes have been pouring in.
“Simply heard the unhappy information that my former @espn colleague, Ron Franklin, has handed away,” tweeted ESPN school basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla. “An incredible broadcasting expertise & a very good man. Was part of so many nice @Big12Conference broadcasts with him. RIP, accomplice.”
“So unhappy to study that Ron Franklin who I labored with on a # of @espn video games has handed. My prayers exit to his household,” wrote ESPN legend Dick Vitale. “Could Ron RIP.”
Franklin labored at ESPN from 1987 by way of 2011. He was fired after reportedly saying, off-air, to sideline reporter Jeanine Edwards, “Take heed to me, candy child, let me let you know one thing …” When she instructed him to not discuss to her like that, he responded, “Okay, then take heed to me asshole.”
He had beforehand been in scorching water for calling Holly Rowe, one other sideline reporter, “sweetheart” on-air in 2005.
“I mentioned some issues I shouldn’t have and am sorry. I deserved to be taken off the Fiesta Bowl,” Franklin mentioned of the 2011 incident.
Franklin filed a lawsuit in opposition to ESPN for wrongful termination, and the go well with was settled out of court docket.
“For these of a sure age, it’s arduous not to consider Ron Franklin as an unofficial TV voice of Texas soccer,” tweeted Brian Davis of the Austin American Statesman after the information of his demise. “Unhappy information, certainly. RIP.”
“Ron Franklin who was a part of the Luv Ya Blue broadcast group handed,” longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips tweeted. “Ron was excellent announcer and an ideal buddy of the group and our household. RIP.”
“RIP Ron Franklin,” mentioned Jason McIntyre of Fox Sports activities. “Liked him on CFB/CBB video games. Proper there behind [Brent] Musburger, Keith Jackson, [Tim] Brando, Verne [Lundquist] within the 90s/00s. Had the gravitas for the SEC evening video games.”
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