Content warning: this story includes comments on suicidal ideation.
The athletic community is mourning the loss of a treasured figure.
John Brenkus, who acted as host and founder of ESPN’s Sports Science TV show, died following a battle with depression, according to a statement shared to his social media. He was 54.
“John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025,” read the statement. “His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.”
John was the co-founder of Base Productions and founder of Brinx.tv, in addition to his role with Sports Science.
The latter series premiered in 2007 on Fox Sports Network before transitioning to ESPN in 2010. Throught its tenure, the series—which uncovered “sports’ biggest myths and mysteries by using cutting-edge technology to measure momentum, friction and the laws of gravity,” per ESPN—earned six Emmys.
He was also the executive producer of Crime 360 in 2008 and the author of The Perfection Point, a New York Times bestseller which calculated the limits of athletic performance.
Over the years, John had been candid about his mental health struggles following the sale of Sports Science.
“I spiraled into a deep, deep depression,” John told former NFL star Marcellus Wiley in 2010, sharing he almost attempted suicide but that his dog Zeppelin saved him by pulling on his pant leg. “in my suicidal funk I 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.’”
John explained he subsequently went to six different psychiatrists in what he described as a “battle” before finding a solution with a specific provider by the name of Dr. Cindy.
“I am so grateful for the angel Dr Cindy, who came down and really was able to demonstrate to me that depression is not about being sad,” he explained, “it’s about the way that we are constructed as humans having thought loops. And people get caught in thought loops and they can’t get out of their own way.”
John added, “I consider it my greatest blessing and greatest victory that I went to and had to March through the valley of darkness to get where I am today.”
Following the news of John’s passing, Marcellus wrote on Instagram alongside a prayer and heart emoji, “RIP John Brenkus.”
