Brenkus rose to prominence as the host of “Sport Science,” a show that explored the intersection of athletics and technology and physics.
WASHINGTON — Editor’s note: This story contains references to suicide. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or online via the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
John Brenkus, the Emmy-winning host and founder of “Sport Science,” has died at the age of 54.
His death was confirmed in a statement posted on his official X account over the weekend. According to the post, Brenkus died on May 31 after a battle with depression.
“John lost his fight with this terrible illness,” the statement read. In the post, his family and friends also requested privacy and encouraged anyone struggling with depression to seek help.
Brenkus rose to prominence as the host of “Sport Science,” a show that explored the intersection of athletics and technology and physics. The show first aired in 2007 on Fox Sports Net and later moved to ESPN. Over the years, Brenkus hosted nearly 1,800 segments exploring how things in the sports world work, from basketball shooting methods to competitive eating.
The show earned six Emmy Awards and was known for making complex scientific concepts accessible to sports fans. Brenkus was also the founder of BASE Productions and Brinx.TV.
Brenkus had been open about his mental health in the past. In a 2023 interview with former NFL star Marcellus Wiley, he spoke about experiencing severe depression after selling “Sport Science” to ESPN and moving to Utah.
“Mental health, suicide, it’s a real thing, and I counted myself out,” Brenkus said at the time. “And I consider it my greatest blessing and greatest victory that I went to and had to march through the valley of darkness to get to where I am today.”
Brenkus also spoke out about the stigma around mental health. “There is hope,” he said. “There are hotlines. There are friends. There is family. There are other people. Talk about it.”
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the sports and media world.
ESPN remembered Brenkus in a weekend SportsCenter tribute as “an innovator, an entertainer and an educator” who will be “missed by many.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter called the news “incredibly sad” and wrote, “John was so good at what he did. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.” Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III and analyst Matthew Berry also shared their condolences.
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