Rising ESPN reporter Edward Aschoff unexpectedly died on Christmas Eve which also happened to be his 34th birthday.
“We are very sorry to have to share the devastating news of the tragic passing of friend and ESPN colleague Edward Aschoff,” ESPN shared in a statement on Tuesday. “He died earlier today, his 34th birthday. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, including his fiancée, Katy.”
Aschoff’s exact cause of death was not released, but the young reporter had been suffering from pneumonia in both lungs since early December. He even took to Twitter to ask his followers for advice on the illness.
Anyone ever had multifocal (bilateral) pneumonia in their early 30s as some who never gets sick and has a very good immune system? Asking for two friends … my lungs.
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) December 5, 2019
Young adults are sometimes at a decrease threat of contracting pneumonia. However, CBS reviews that half of adults with regular immune programs who’re hospitalized with extreme pneumonia are youthful adults.
The CDC states the lung an infection kills about 50,000 Americans yearly.
The 34-year-old leaves behind his fiancée, Katy Berteau. The two turned engaged final yr after Berteau proposed with a Godzilla-shaped ring, Aschoff’s favourite movie character. They have been set to marry in April.
In his final Instagram publish, Aschoff thanked his fiancée for help throughout his sickness.
“Having pneumonia is pretty terrible…But it helps having this sweet angel taking care of you even when she’s risking getting this soul-crushing illness herself,” he wrote on December 4th. “Thanks for putting up with my 5 am coughing fits.”
Aschoff joined ESPN in 2011 and rapidly proved to be a terrific addition to the community. He was usually on the sidelines reporting on faculty soccer video games throughout the nation and reported for varied ESPN platforms, together with SportsCenter.
In 2016, he received first place within the Football Writers Association of America’s contest in enterprise reporting for his reporting on race and discrimination in faculty soccer. He shared the dignity with fellow ESPN reporter Adam Rittenberg.
Several of Aschoff’s ESPN colleagues paid tribute to him on-air and on social media after studying of his premature passing.
Ed Aschoff is among the finest folks I do know. Talented, form, enjoyable, gracious and all the time constructive. An ideal colleague and an excellent higher good friend. All of us are devastated and heartbroken. Just isn’t truthful. I really like you, Ed, and can miss you. Prayers to Katy and Ed’s household. https://t.co/jJQBE441Fv
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 25, 2019
This is how I’ll bear in mind Ed: Happy, vibrant, enjoyable. We ought to all attempt to take pleasure in life as a lot as he did. pic.twitter.com/IX5rBtXgHi
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 25, 2019
Our good friend Ed Aschoff, lovingly remembered by so many on this heartbreaking day, was a ray of sunshine. He smiled with his total being, liked his fiancée and household, and introduced pleasure to the job. I hope you knew him, too.
— Rob King (@ESPN_RobKing) December 25, 2019
Closest factor I needed to a child brother on this enterprise. I discovered much more from @AschoffESPN than he ever did from me. What a light-weight he was to all of us. God bless you ATL Kid. pic.twitter.com/rIfcRrZkIR
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 25, 2019
What I love most about @AschoffESPN — past his expertise and drive — is his good nature. He suffered loss at a younger age, but was all the time sunny and upbeat. His enthusiasm was contagious. The vacation season has turned sober, reflective. Edward has jogged my memory how valuable life is.
— Ivan Maisel (@Ivan_Maisel) December 25, 2019
Edward Aschoff was my different little brother and I don’t have the phrases to fill the outlet in my coronary heart tonight. pic.twitter.com/VESoFgGVCf
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) December 25, 2019