NFL World Reacts to Death of Longtime Reporter John Clayton

The former ESPN reporter and longtime NFL writer died at the age of 67.

Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton died on Friday at the age of 67 following a brief illness, according to a release from the Seahawks on behalf of the family.

Clayton, who gained fame for his NFL coverage for ESPN where he spent over two decades of his career, was a beloved figure in media and a giant in pro football reporting. He spent the last several years working in radio in Seattle while covering the Seahawks.

The tributes came rolling in from all over the NFL world following the sudden news of his passing.

John Clayton, a first-class NFL insider and our beloved longtime ESPN colleague, died today.

He also starred in the greatest This Is SportsCenter commercial of all time.

RIP, Johnpic.twitter.com/5s5H0gQZcu

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) 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

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

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

We will all miss your words and brilliance @JohnClaytonNFL #RIPJohnClayton

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) 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

Readers don’t have to look too hard to see the way that Clayton was liked and respected by his peers.

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