ESPN's Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson dies at 44
ESPN's Chicago Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson died Tuesday of complications from colon cancer. He was 44 years old.
The network announced his death in an obituary Tuesday afternoon. Per ESPN, Dickerson died at the same hospice center his wife Caitlin Dickerson died in with melanoma at 36 years old in 2019. He entered the hospice center last week. Dickerson is survived by his and Caitlin's 11-year-old son Parker and his parents George and Sandy Dickerson.
The Bears released a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying, "we are absolutely heartbroken to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague."
Statement from the Chicago Bears on the passing of Jeff Dickerson: pic.twitter.com/tAr8nrXElQ
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) December 29, 2021
Per the Chicago Sun-Times, Dickerson got his start covering the Bears with ESPN 1000 radio in Chicago in 2001 before writing for ESPNChicago in 2009. He moved to ESPN.com full-time in 2013, where he covered the Bears until his death.
In 2020 he joined the board of the Vaughn McClure foundation, a non-profit honoring the memory of the former Bears and Atlanta Falcons beat reporter who died in 2020 at 48 years old.
Dickerson was remembered fondly Tuesday by his friends and colleagues.
“He was simply the best,” ESPN 1000 morning-show host David Kaplan told the Sun-Times. “It sounds like when people die, everyone says nice things. He was truly that guy. Never had a mean bone in his body.”
This man was a gift. Just crushed by his passing. Hug you loved ones and pray for his family. https://t.co/IXAHtjnJv7
— Heather Burns (@hburns33) December 28, 2021
"Not once have I ever heard him say, this has gotten the best of me, that I didn't deserve this." For 10 years, JD battled a cruel curse with grave, dignity and optimism. It was my honor to pull together this story, with help from colleagues and friends.https://t.co/fKoxSCcZ9i
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 28, 2021
Just ... stunning. We've lost a really good man. I. can't believe this https://t.co/lBYivHwLHe
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) December 28, 2021
Absolutely soul-crushing news to lose @DickersonESPN. JD was many things, but nothing made him prouder than being a father to his son Parker.
He kept fighting when times were tough and kept a positive attitude every step of the way.
You will be forever missed JD 💔— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 28, 2021
Miss you already, man.
And there’s an army assembled here to do everything we can for Parker.— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) December 28, 2021
2021 already took so many good people and now Jeff Dickerson? I’m just floored. Please say a prayer or have a thought for his son.
— Kevin Kaduk (@KevinKaduk) December 28, 2021
JD was kind and positive and gracious. He helped others. Thank you for your encouragement and words of wisdom, good sir.
Holding his son, Parker, in my prayers.
Please read this beautiful tribute by @SeifertESPN: https://t.co/NYnDakZHDC— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 28, 2021
There are so many wonderful things to say about Jeff Dickerson. He wasn’t just liked-he was admired.
Even while going through Cancer, he set up a scholarship in the name of our friend Vaughn McClure, who passed away last year.
That’s who he was. Incredible human!— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) December 28, 2021
RIP @DickersonESPN 🙏🏼 Keep his his young son in your prayers. He has lost his mother & father within the past few years. My heart absolutely breaks for that little boy & their family 😭 Gone way too soon.
— Jen Leno (@jennifermleno72) December 28, 2021
There are some wonderful tributes to Jeff Dickerson. All do a great job capturing what a true friend, classy reporter & supremely positive person he was. We shared many laughs over the years. Jeff died of cancer today and will be missed by everyone fortunate enough to know him.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 28, 2021
Grateful to have worked with JD for nine years. He was always friendly, always funny and as my colleagues who knew him much better said, a person you couldn't wait to see again.
Miss you, friend, and thanks to @SeifertESPN for writing this.
https://t.co/2P8JMiATEm— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) December 28, 2021
"We should all hope to be the friend to others that JD was to us."
If you would, please take a moment to read about our friend Jeff Dickerson. It will inspire you. https://t.co/nqfMzbghdD— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 28, 2021
Big loss in our ESPN family. So numbing. Jeff Dickerson, ESPN's Chicago Bears reporter, dies at age 44 - via @ESPN App https://t.co/YdKPIwxfT7
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) December 28, 2021
Absolutely crushed to hear about @DickersonESPN. If you have kids, hug them. And keep his son, Parker, in as many of your thoughts and prayers as you can.
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 28, 2021
We grieve the loss a wonderful man and colleague @DickersonESPN
Dickerson, ESPN's Bears reporter, dies at age 44 - via @ESPN App https://t.co/Di44oyYYVA— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 28, 2021
A truly great man. Heart of gold. We’ll miss you, man. Team JD forever. https://t.co/Pbv53MvRD9
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 28, 2021
I'll miss @DickersonESPN terribly.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) December 28, 2021
JD, we were supposed to share this together. Tonight, I toast it in your honor. pic.twitter.com/clZUB5B3qo
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 28, 2021
Beautiful obituary for one of the warmest people in our industry. It was a joy to work with JD for four years at ESPN; we can all learn from the bravery and optimism with which he lived as cancer racked his family. My prayers are with them. https://t.co/nYLOdxF1sO
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 28, 2021
Unspeakably sad: Jeff Dickerson, a fixture at ESPN and in the Chicago sports market for two decades, died Tuesday of complications from colon cancer. He was 44. Thoughts with his 11-year-old son Parker, who now has lost both his parents to cancer. https://t.co/xhdgWZq1uG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2021
we’ve lost so many people these past few years who were taken way too soon. Rest in peace @DickersonESPN, our hearts are with Parker and your family. https://t.co/tXR8cAxbSv
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 28, 2021
RIP @DickersonESPN. Not a mean bone in his body and ALWAYS put others before himself. pic.twitter.com/PpraKfWAGe
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) December 28, 2021
Rest In Peace, @DickersonESPN.
An incredible human and teammate, someone who always, always put others first. Say a prayer for his family — especially for his son, who lost both parents to cancer in two years. Life can be so cruel and so unfair. pic.twitter.com/OslUsbvH3T— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 28, 2021
A wonderful colleague and friend, Jeff Dickerson always brought positivity and laughter. Hope he and his wife Caitlin are sharing a warm embrace in heaven as we wrap our arms around their young son, Parker. Rest In Peace, Jeff. 💔 https://t.co/Es7t0OySUH
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 28, 2021
Jeff was a terrific guy. Always supportive, always optimistic. Please keep his family, especially his son, in your thoughts and prayers. https://t.co/6UfV5uoXFi
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 28, 2021
For ESPN Radio, you audition on another show. My audition was with Jeff Dickerson/Hood. Dickerson treated me like an equal and made me shine. He could have ignored me. Instead, Jeff Dickerson made room for me and ESPN radio gave me a shot. And that changed my life. RIP, brother.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) December 28, 2021
What an incredibly sad day at ESPN. Another good one taken from us too soon. RIP, JD. https://t.co/L97F4W56Nz
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) December 28, 2021
I know you will continue to honor him and make him proud. Love you ❤️
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 28, 2021
Deeply saddened by the news that we've lost JD. Please keep his son Parker in your prayers. He's lost both his mother and father to Cancer in the last couple of yrs. Life is short. Please live every day to the fullest. https://t.co/dSz2gDHUNv
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 28, 2021
Very sad news. A good man and a good teammate gone way before his time.https://t.co/HBG2sFnIPA
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) December 28, 2021
It’s devastating to say goodbye to Jeff Dickerson.
He was more than a colleague who covered the Bears. He was genuinely the kindest man I ever met.
JD was the ultimate fighter and optimist to the end.
Rest In Peace, my friend.https://t.co/gmjbEUK9wF— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 28, 2021
Jeff emceed the event for Vaughn this fall with classic JD charisma and charm. Full-throttle energy.
Every once in a while, he’s take a break and quietly share the discomfort he was in.
Then he’d take a deep breath and turn right back on. https://t.co/uPJpNpCDeO— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) December 28, 2021
