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2d ago

John Brenkus, ‘Sport Science’ Pioneer, Dies at 54 After Battle with Depression

An outpouring of tributes has underscored the toll of depression in high-performance fields.

John Brenkus hosts the Beyond Sport Global Awards on July 26, 2017 in New York City.
John Brenkus died aged 54.
John Brenkus died on Saturday, his family announced on social media
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Overview

  • Brenkus died on May 31, 2025, after a long struggle with depression, a loss his family announced on social media June 2.
  • He created and hosted the six-time Emmy Award-winning series Sport Science, which ran from 2007 to 2017 on Fox Sports Net and ESPN and produced more than 1,800 science-driven segments.
  • As co-founder of BASE Productions and founder of Brinx TV, he built a reputation for bringing scientific rigor and engaging storytelling to sports media.
  • He was open about his mental health journey, recounting a 2013 suicide attempt halted by his dog Zeppelin and years of treatment with psychologists and psychiatrists.
  • Sports figures including Marcellus Wiley, Adam Schefter and Robert Griffin III paid tribute to his legacy as his family requested privacy and urged anyone in crisis to seek help.