Legendary ESPN NFL reporter, insider dies following brief illness

On Friday evening, the news broke of Hall-of-Fame broadcaster John Clayton passing away earlier in the day at 3 pm. He passed away at an area hospital in Seattle, Washington following a brief illness, per ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. He was 67 years old. Clayton spent several years working with ESPN on their NFL coverage and their NFL Draft coverage. As of Friday night, many different social media accounts were posting tributes to the longtime ESPN reporter.

One of ESPN’s top NFL personalities, Louis Riddick, posted his tribute to Clayton on Twitter.

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

Many other ESPN personalities, including NFL insider Adam Schefter, tweeted a tribute of support for Clayton.

He was also known for doing debates often with former ESPN anchor Sean Salisbury. He was very knowledgeable about the NFL as that was always his area of expertise. Football fans no doubt spent plenty of time with Clayton over the years. In 1995, he joined ESPN as a reporter and later added a weekly radio show during the NFL offseason. The show he hosted was with Sean Salisbury, included “Four Downs” a debate with Salisbury over current NFL issues.

Seattle Seahawks statement on John Clayton

On Friday night, the Seattle Seahawks released a statement shortly after Clayton’s passing on Twitter. It reads: “The Seattle Seahawks are heartbroken to learn of the passing of John Clayton after a battle with a brief illness at the age of 67. Nicknamed The Professor, John spent 23 years covering the Steelers, Seahawks, and NFL as a beat reporter and Tacoma News Tribune. In 1995, he was hired by ESPN as an NFL insider. Most recently, Clayton was the host of The John Clayton Weekends Show on Seattle Sports 710 and spent five seasons as a sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks Radio Network. In 2007, John won the prestigious Dick McCann Award, bestowed annually the Pro Football Writers of America, (PFWA) for “long and distinguished reporting on professional football.” We send our deepest condolences to Pat and the Clayton family.”

Throughout his life’s work, he made an indelible impact on millions of football fans across the country and the world. He will be missed.