John Brenkus, the Emmy-winning host and co-creator of ESPN’s “Sport Science,” died by suicide on May 31, 2025, according to the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He was born in July 1971. He was 53 years old.
Brenkus’s family announced his death on June 1 through a statement shared on his X account and the Brinx.TV website. The statement noted Brenkus had been dealing with depression and ultimately “lost his fight with this terrible illness.” His family and friends requested privacy while urging anyone facing similar struggles to seek help.
The cause of death was confirmed by medical examiner records obtained by TMZ on June 3, 2025. Brenkus was a co-founder of BASE Productions, founder of Brinx.TV, and the co-creator and host of the six-time Emmy Award-winning “Sport Science” program.
“Sport Science” began airing on Fox Sports Net in 2007 before transitioning to ESPN in the 2010s. It gained international recognition for its exploration of athletic performance through scientific analysis. According to ESPN, the series examined sports’ myths and mysteries using advanced technology to assess factors like momentum, friction, and gravity.
Throughout his career, Brenkus hosted roughly 1,800 segments analyzing the intersection of science and sports. The show won six Sports Emmy awards and involved professional athletes demonstrating scientific principles applied to sports performance.
ESPN honored Brenkus on “SportsCenter” after his death was announced. Network representatives called him an innovator, entertainer, and educator whose contributions would be missed. The tribute aired on Monday, June 2, featuring anchors Randy Scott and Riggs Cuff.
Brenkus had previously been candid about his mental health challenges. In January 2023, he appeared on Marcellus Wiley’s podcast “Never Shut Up” to discuss his depression. He mentioned that after selling “Sport Science” to ESPN and residing in Park City, Utah, he felt isolated and fell into deep depression.
During that 2023 interview, Brenkus disclosed he had been suicidal, with a noose prepared, ready to end his life. He credited his dog Zeppelin for saving him by tugging on his jeans and preventing the act. Brenkus stated, “I was flat-out suicidal.”
Following that incident, Brenkus contacted his mother to express his mental health concerns. He then sought help from six different psychologists and psychiatrists before finding a doctor in Virginia who assisted him in finding a path to recovery.
At the time of the 2023 interview, Brenkus stated he had not experienced depression since receiving proper treatment. He stressed the importance of discussing mental health issues and encouraged individuals to seek help through hotlines, friends, family, and other resources.
Brenkus used his platform to raise awareness about mental health, describing his experience as both a significant challenge and a victory. He likened his journey through depression to navigating a difficult path to reach a better state.
The sports media community expressed sorrow over Brenkus’s death. Former ESPN fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry remembered him as a consummate professional who was kind, encouraging, intelligent, and inventive. Berry noted they remained friends after he appeared on “Sport Science.”
Wiley, who interviewed Brenkus about his mental health struggles, shared the announcement of his death with “RIP” and prayer and heart emojis. Other sports media personalities also offered condolences and shared memories of Brenkus.
The family’s statement concluded by encouraging anyone struggling with depression to seek help, emphasizing the value of mental health resources and support networks.
