ESPN host John Saunders dead at 61

<p>ESPN announced Wednesday that longtime host John Saunders has died. He was 61 years old.</p><p>The Canadian-born Saunders joined ESPN in 1986. He was best known as the host of &quot;The Sports Reporters.&quot;</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/curt-schilling-isn-t-thrilled-espn-cut-him-from-a-red-sox-documentary/">Curt Schilling Isn't Thrilled ESPN Cut Him From A Red Sox Documentary</a></b></p><p>Before starting his broadcasting career, Saunders played hockey in the Montreal junior leagues.</p><p>ESPN President&nbsp;<a href="http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2016/08/john-saunders-passed/" target="_blank">John Skipper said in a statement</a>: &quot;He was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time.&quot;</p><p>Saunders&#39; cause of death isn&#39;t publicly known. He&#39;s survived by his wife and two daughters.</p><p><i>This video includes clips from the&nbsp;</i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zuo88K2Gdc" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a></i><i>&nbsp;and images from Getty Images.</i></p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/rio-olympics-diving-pool-turns-from-blue-to-green/">Forget The Gold; Olympic Divers Want To Know Why Their Pool Is Green</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/it-s-an-honor-for-kate-middleton-to-look-like-this-olympian/">It&#039;s An Honor For Kate Middleton To Look Like This French Olympian</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/apparently-tim-tebow-wants-to-play-pro-baseball/">Apparently, Tim Tebow Wants To Play Pro Baseball</a></li></ul>