NFL reporter Vaughn McClure, who covered the Atlanta Falcons for ESPN, was found dead in his apartment near Atlanta this week. He was 48.
No cause of death was released, but a source said he complained of headaches in the days leading up to his death.
McClure reported on the firing of Falcons coach Dan Quinn on Wednesday. He was a regular contributor on ESPN’s television and radio coverage of the Falcons and the NFL.
Tributes poured in on social media from around the sports world.
“We all loved Vaughn,” said John Pluym, senior deputy editor for digital NFL coverage at ESPN.
“He had a heart of gold. He was so helpful to our reporters. In the last few hours, we’ve heard so many stories about how Vaughn had helped them with a story or how he put in a good word for them with a coach or player.”
A Chicago native, McClure spent six seasons covering the Chicago Bears for the Chicago Tribune before being hired at ESPN in September 2013.
“Vaughn McClure made you feel like a celebrity every time you saw him. I simply cannot believe he is gone. Absolutely crushing,” tweeted Dan Graziano.
McClure’s last Instagram post in June detailed his struggle with depression following the deaths of his parents, brother and sister.
He captioned a photo of himself with his late father:
“For me, I’m still trying to get over the depression of losing you, Mom, Mark, & Nona. With my big sis dying at age 38 and lil bro at 27, I wonder sometimes how much time I’ve got left. I want to live long. I’ve told myself no matter what, I want to honor the memories of all four of you while I’m alive.”
