John Brenkus, Emmy-Winning ‘Sports Science’ Host, Dies at 54 After Battle With Depression
John Brenkus death | Sports Science host dies | Mental health awareness | Depression
John Brenkus, the Emmy Award-winning creator and host of the popular ESPN series Sports Science, has tragically passed away at the age of 54. The news of his death was confirmed through an emotional statement posted to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, June 1, 2025. According to the statement, Brenkus died on May 31 after a difficult and prolonged battle with depression.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away,” the statement reads. “John, co-founder of Base Productions, Founder of Brinx.TV, and co-creator and host of the six-time Emmy award-winning Sports Science, had been battling depression. John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025. His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.”
A Visionary in Sports and Science Media
John Brenkus was widely known for revolutionizing the way audiences experience sports by blending physics, technology, and athleticism through Sports Science. The show, which originally aired on Fox Sports Net before finding a wider audience on ESPN, analyzed the biomechanics behind elite athletic performance—from the velocity of a quarterback’s throw to the impact of a hockey body check. It was a unique combination of science and entertainment that made complex topics accessible and exciting to mainstream sports fans.
Under Brenkus’s leadership, Sports Science earned six Emmy Awards and became one of ESPN’s most beloved segments, influencing a generation of athletes, coaches, and viewers. The program’s influence extended beyond television screens, impacting how training and performance are understood in the world of professional and collegiate sports.
From Base Productions to Brinx.TV
In addition to his success with Sports Science, Brenkus co-founded Base Productions, a television and film production company known for creating a wide range of reality-based and documentary-style programming. More recently, he founded Brinx.TV, a live-streaming and sports commentary platform aimed at reshaping the future of sports and entertainment media. Through Brinx.TV, Brenkus collaborated with numerous sports personalities, including former NFL star Marcellus Wiley, who honored him with a simple but heartfelt tribute on social media:
“RIP,” Wiley posted, accompanied by a prayer hands emoji and a red heart.
A Candid Struggle with Mental Health
While John Brenkus’s professional life was filled with innovation and accolades, he was also open about his personal battle with mental health. In past interviews and conversations, including a revealing dialogue with Wiley, Brenkus described how selling Sports Science led him into a severe depression.
“I fell into a very deep depression,” he told Wiley. “In my suicidal funk, I was like: ‘What am I doing?’ I literally picked up my phone, called my mom and said: ‘There’s something wrong with me. I am mentally lost.’”
At one point, Brenkus recounted a harrowing moment when he was close to taking his own life—only to be stopped by his beloved dog, Zepplin, who pulled at his jeans in a moment of instinctive intervention. That powerful, life-saving interaction motivated him to seek professional help, leading him to consult six different psychologists and psychiatrists.
Despite these efforts and his openness about his struggles, Brenkus continued to battle depression quietly until his passing. His family hopes his story will shine a light on the seriousness of mental illness and the importance of seeking help.
An Urgent Reminder: You Are Not Alone
John Brenkus’s death is a heartbreaking reminder that mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of their outward success or achievements. His legacy extends beyond his innovative media work to his willingness to speak about the darkness he faced—a message that resonates in today’s ongoing conversation around mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, 24/7, confidential assistance. Simply call or text 988 to speak with someone who can help.
A Legacy That Will Endure
John Brenkus leaves behind a powerful legacy of creativity, passion, and impact. Through his work on Sports Science, he changed the way we understand athletes and performance. Through his openness about his mental health journey, he offered hope to others fighting similar battles.
His contributions to both the media world and the mental health conversation will not be forgotten. Fans, colleagues, and loved ones continue to mourn his loss while celebrating a life that inspired curiosity, innovation, and compassion.
May he rest in peace.
