John Brenkus, the longtime host and co-creator of ESPN’s Sport Science, died on May 31 at the age of 54, according to a statement posted Monday night on his official X account.

The post confirmed that Brenkus had been struggling with depression and described his passing as the result of a battle with the illness. “John lost his fight with this terrible illness,” the message read. “His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.”

In addition to his work on Sport Science, Brenkus was the founder of Brinx.TV and co-founded Base Productions, contributing to a number of sports and science-related media ventures over the years.

He spoke publicly about his mental health in January 2023 during an interview with former NFL player and ESPN colleague Marcellus Wiley. In that conversation, Brenkus shared that he had fallen into a deep depression after relocating to Park City, Utah, following the sale of his company and the Sport Science series. Watch the interview here.

“I was flat-out suicidal,” he said during the discussion. “So much so, I had a noose tied around my neck. I was ready to do it.”

Brenkus credited his dog, Zepplin, for snapping him out of that moment. According to him, the dog pulled at his jeans and interrupted the suicide attempt, leading him to seek professional help. After seeing multiple therapists and psychiatrists, he eventually connected with a doctor in Virginia whom he credited for helping him turn things around. “I have never been depressed since, a day in my life, from that moment forward,” he said at the time.

Wiley reposted the announcement of Brenkus’ death, offering a brief message: “RIP” along with prayer and heart emojis.

Sport Science became a signature program for ESPN, blending physics and athletics to examine the mechanics of elite performance. The show used motion tracking, sensors, and simulations to test everything from velocity to impact forces. According to ESPN’s official description, it set out to uncover “sports’ biggest myths and mysteries by using cutting-edge technology to measure momentum, friction and the laws of gravity.”

The series originally premiered on FOX Sports in 2007 before making its way to ESPN, and it went on to win six Emmy Awards.

In a statement shared by ESPN, Brenkus was remembered as “an innovator, an entertainer and an educator” whose contributions to sports broadcasting left a lasting impression.