“That is terrible.”
John Brenkus, the beloved creator and host of “Sport Science,” died on Saturday, May 31.
His death was confirmed in a statement by Brinx TV, the media production company Brenkus founded in 2013, and was later shared to his X account on June 1.
In the statement, Brenkus’ family revealed that the 54-year-old “had been battling depression.”
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“It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away,” his family wrote on X. “John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st.”
“His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help,” the statement continued.
— John Brenkus (@johnbrenkus_) June 2, 2025
“Sport Science” began as an hour-long show on the Fox Sports Network in 2007 before being bought by ESPN several years later, where it became a staple for a variety of ESPN’s highest-profile productions.
It was featured on shows like “SportsCenter,” “College Game Day” and other popular TV segments.
According to a 2009 press release, the show brought “popular professional athletes together with cutting-edge technology in state-of-the-art scientific facilities to test the limits of human athletic abilities.”
“Sport Science” went on to win six Emmys during its time on air, per The New York Times.
In a May 2017 Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), Brenkus revealed that his favorite athletes to work with “are the guys who are my size.”
“The ones who impress me the most are the ones I can see eye to eye with...literally,” he said, recalling a segment he did with NBA player Isaiah Thomas.
“Isaiah Thomas is amazing...check out the segment we did in him and look at his size relative to me!” Brenkus wrote. “I'm 5'8.5''...but somehow he's able to play with guys over a foot taller than him!”
Brenkus also revealed that his favorite episode was when they calculated the collision time between a baseball and a bat at the MLB level.
Prayers up for John Brenkus and his family 🙏🏾
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 2, 2025
The man who gave us the Emmy Winning Sports Science lost his battle with depression at the age of 53. pic.twitter.com/QSxjh0U4ub
“You actually don't need to (be) bonding on to the bat when connecting to the ball,” he wrote of his finding. “You could, theoretically, let go of the bat .001 seconds before contact and the ball will travel just as far.”
As for the experiment he always wanted to do but couldn’t, Brenkus replied, “How high could someone jump off a platform and survive…”
Aside from “Sport Science” and Brinx TV, Brenkus was the co-founder of BASE Productions and former executive producer of “Crime 360,” which documented real criminal investigations as they happened.
He also wrote a New York Times best-selling book, “The Perfection Point,” released in 2010.
Brenkus opened up about being in a ‘suicidal funk’ in 2023
In a 2023 interview with former NFL player Marcellus Wiley, Brenkus opened up about his experience with depression after selling “Sport Science” to ESPN.
“I was flat out suicidal,” he told Wiley on the former defensive end’s “Dat Dude TV.”
“So much so that I had a noose around my neck. I was ready to do it,” he added. “And my dog Zeppelin came to my rescue.”
Brenkus explained how his dog proceeded to pull on his pants and wouldn’t leave him alone.
For anyone that caught my segment with Marcellus today, here’s a pic of Zeppelin l(my dog that saved me)! For anyone that didn’t see it go check out my guy @marcelluswiley and his new show Never Shut Up! #SuicidePrevention #dogsarefamily #dogs pic.twitter.com/aRGsz6OY3r
— John Brenkus (@johnbrenkus_) January 21, 2023
“In my suicidal funk was like, ‘What am I doing?’ I literally picked up my phone, called my mom, I said, ‘There’s something wrong with me. I am mentally lost,'” Brenkus continued.
“I then went through a battle, I mean, I’m telling you, a battle, to get out of it,” he explained.
As news of his death went viral, many of his former colleagues, fans and followers took to social media to share their respects.
“RIP,” Wiley wrote in an X post alongside a prayer emoji and red heart emoji.
“This is incredibly sad. John was so good at what he did. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, John,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote in a post of his own.
ESPN’s staple show “SportsCenter” also took a moment to pay their respects on live TV.
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“Brenkus was known for demonstrating scientific principles through sports during his segments and shows — often having professional athletes participate alongside him,” they said in a live broadcast.
If you or someone you know may be in danger of suicidal thoughts, call or text the free suicide and crisis lifeline at 988 to connect with a trained counselor.
