RIP to John Saunders, who originally joined ESPN in 1986 and served as one of the longest-tenured commentators at the company, most recently working as host of ABC’s Saturday studio coverage of college football and The Sports Reporters. He was 61.

His loss was mourned throughout the industry, with tributes from leagues as well as on-air talent and executives.

“John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades,” said ESPN President John Skipper. “His wide range of accomplishments across numerous sports and championship events is among the most impressive this industry has ever seen. More importantly, John was a beloved and devoted family man who cared deeply about people and causes, as evidenced by his long-standing efforts as a passionate board member for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. 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.”

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Saunders,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As the studio host of NBA Shootaround, a play-by-play announcer for nationally televised NBA and WNBA games and one of the Toronto Raptors’ first television voices, John was a vital member of the NBA family for more than two decades and was a friendly and familiar face to our players and fans.”