ESPN staffer dies days before Christmas as emotional colleague fights back the tears during on-air tribute

ESPN host Randy Scott fought back tears on air after announcing the tragic death of colleague Zach Jones, who passed away just days before Christmas at the age of 41.

Jones, who spent 15 years at ESPN but served as a research manager for the network before passing away Sunday after a two-year battle with colorectal cancer.

He leaves behind wife Amber and 10-year-old son Silas.

SportsCenter host Scott confirmed the devastating news during Monday’s edition of the show, as he paid an emotional tribute to Jones and described his late colleague as “one of our own.”

“ESPN lost one of us yesterday. Research manager Zach Jones died Sunday after a two-year battle with colorectal cancer that had metastasized before his diagnosis, he said.

“You may have never seen him on your screen, but you saw his work on our live golf coverage, on our women’s basketball coverage or on one of our SportsCenter shows.

ESPN contributor Zach Jones has tragically passed away at the age of 41 after a battle with colorectal cancer

‘He came here in 2010 as a researcher and joined the management team of the statistics and information group in 2018, but most importantly… he got married here. He started a family here.”

Scott then continued before becoming visibly emotional: “The Stanford graduate loved the Cardinal and he loved golf. He loved his wife Amber, he loved his son Silas, who turned 10 last month, and he lost his father three days before Christmas.”

“I saw Zach in the cafeteria a few weeks ago, he was hopeful and he was also thoughtful,” he added. “He said he just wanted his family to be well after a recent move to Texas.

‘He fought like crazy. He can rest now. We love you friend.”

Another SportsCenter host, Kevin Negandhi, paid his respects to Jones on social media following the news of his death.

“May you rest in peace Zach,” Negandhi wrote alongside a photo of Jones and his family.

“A devoted father who loved golf, the Chargers and his family. He was a fantastic researcher and had the perfect attitude for TV. He will be missed by so many. Sending all our love to his wife, son and their family. F*ck cancer.”

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