6 John Brenkus 'Sport Science' videos proving he's an ESPN legend
The world is mourning the loss of John Brenkus, who entertained us and informed us all over the years with Sport Science, the segments on ESPN and Fox Sports Net.
The concept was simple, but the execution was incredible: like Mr. Wizard, but sports. It would start with a focus on a player or a question, and then it would dive DEEP with stats galore -- say, the speed of a player or how much a hit from a linebacker is, measured in the Sport Science lab. Every angle was covered.
Advertisement
And at the center of it all was Brenkus, the host and mastermind who would break it all down with excitement, a warm, inviting approach and a voice made for broadcasting. It's no wonder that he won six Emmys and the world is heartbroken after his family revealed he lost a battle with depression May 31, 2025.
With all of that in mind, here's a look back at some amazing Sport Science segments over the years as we pay tribute to the great John Brenkus:
The LeBron James chase down block
This should tell you just how incredible James' athleticism is.
Luke Kuechly was amazing
Want to know how tough it is to get hit by a linebacker? Here you go.
Jayson Tatum dunks in a suit of armor
Seriously. Just watch.
Ray Lewis, tackle machine
Ow.
How weather affects running backs
You'll learn so much.
Advertisement
Lonzo Ball's shot, explained
Remember when we all talked about Zo's weird-looking shot?
This article originally appeared on For The Win: John Brenkus Sport Science videos to watch from ESPN after he died
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
18 minutes ago
- New York Post
Richard Jefferson wears Doris Burke shirt as announcer is thankful for support amid uncertain ESPN future
Doris Burke is receiving a lot of love this weekend. While at Oklahoma City's Devon Park on Friday for the Women's College World Series between Texas Tech and Texas, Richard Jefferson put out an endorsement for his broadcast partner. He joined the SEC Network pregame show dressed in a 'My Favorite Broadcaster is Doris Burke' shirt while being interviewed by Haylie McCleney, Tori Vidales and Alyssa Lang. Advertisement 6 Richard Jefferson wearing a Doris Burke shirt on the SEC pregame show ahead of the Women's College World Series. @SECNetwork/X Jefferson and Burke head the broadcast team for ESPN and ABC's NBA coverage, along with play-by-play voice Mike Breen. Advertisement Prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday between the Pacers and Thunder, The Athletic reported that Burke's spot for next season is 'not guaranteed.' This year marks Burke's second NBA Finals as the lead analyst for ESPN. Jefferson, whom ESPN 'intends' to keep despite being on an expiring contract, per the report, clearly wanted to show that he has Burke's back. Advertisement 6 Burke watches as Jefferson shows off the shirt. @TomasKassahun/X 6 Jefferson points to Burke. @TomasKassahun/X He was also found in the softball crowd sitting next to Burke during Friday's game, and he again made his shirt known. Jefferson held out shirt and pointed to it for the camera, before motioning in her direction. Burke smiled and laughed at her teammate's gesture. Advertisement 6 Richard Jefferson, Doris Burke, and Mike Breen pose before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. NBAE via Getty Images The ex-Nets star is not the only one to come to Burke's defense, with Pacers coach Rick Carlisle also speaking out on Burke's behalf prior to Game 1. 'I saw the things that were leaked yesterday about Doris Burke and I just wanted to say a couple of things. She has changed the game for women in broadcasting,' Carlisle said. 'Doris is a great example of courage and putting herself out there. It was just so sad to see the reports leaked, really unnecessarily, before such a celebrated event. Doris is a friend. I've asked her many times, when is she getting into coaching, because she has such great knowledge. There are many women who she's paved the way for.' 6 Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle speaks to the media after the Pacers defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Burke was promoted to the network's top NBA booth after ESPN parted ways with Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. It has been an ever-changing panel, as Burke has been paired with three different co-analysts since joining the group. 6 Doris Burke arrives to the arena before the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on April 9, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images Advertisement Burke joined ESPN Radio's 'Joe & Q' show earlier this week and had an emotional reaction to Carlisle's defense of her work. 'He reached out to me earlier in the day and I just want you guys to consider – I'm going to try not to get emotional here,' Burke said. 'The man is about to coach Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he has absolutely reached the pinnacle of his sport. 'But he took the time to check in on another human being to make sure I was okay. He has always been an enormous supporter of mine. And I just think it speaks to the human being he is. When he walked in that coaches meeting, I always give him a hug, I held him a little bit longer last night.'
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
LIVE! UFC 316 Results, Streaming ‘Prelims' Updates
UFC 316 featured prelim fighter Joshua Van. | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) goes down TONIGHT (Sat., June 7, 2025) with UFC 316 live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and streaming LIVE on ESPN+ PPV. UFC 316 features Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley 2 in the main event, for Dvalishvili's Bantamweight title. This is Dvalishvili's second time defending the belt. Advertisement Is he looking past tonight's opponent, though? UFC 316's co-main event has Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison for the women's Bantamweight belt. The PPV main card also has Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer, Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix and Kevin Holland vs. Vicente Luque. UFC 316's 'Prelims' have seen some chopping and changing. The featured 'Prelims' bout remains Joshua Van vs. Bruno Silva in the Flyweight division. The late 'Prelims' also include Azamat Murzakanov vs. Brendson Ribeiro, Serghei Spivac vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Khaos Williams vs. Andreas Gustafsson. Our UFC 316 early 'Prelims' are headlined by Ariane da Silva vs. Wang Cong. The opening card also has Jeka Saragih vs. Joo Sang Yoo, Quillan Salkilld vs. Yanal Asmouz and MarQuel Mederos vs. Mark Choinski. Advertisement So, before UFC 316's PPV action begins at 10 p.m. ET tonight right here, will deliver LIVE coverage of the entire UFC 316 'Prelims' undercard below, beginning with the first fight at 6 p.m. ET this evening on Disney+/ESPN+. Again, we are covering UFC 316's PPV main card in a separate thread right here, beginning at 10 p.m. ET. UFC 316 START TIME AND DATE will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 316 fight card below, starting with the ESPN+/Disney+ early 'Prelims' undercard bouts, which air at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the UFC 316's late 'Prelims,' which air on Disney+/ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET. This is followed by UFC 316's PPV main card, which will start at 10 p.m ET on ESPN+ PPV, with play-by-play updates here. Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following 'Merab vs. O'Malley 2.' Without further delay, see below for the updated UFC 316 results. (Note: This will go from the top down; therefore, the newest information will at the top of the stream). UFC 316 QUICK RESULTS 135 lbs.: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley 135 lbs.: Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison 185 lbs.: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer 135 lbs.: Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix 170 lbs.: Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland 125 lbs.: Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van 205 lbs.: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Brendson Ribeiro 265 lbs.: Serghei Spivac vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta 170 lbs.: Khaos Williams vs. Andreas Gustafsson 125 lbs.: Ariane da Silva vs. Wang Cong 145 lbs.: Jeka Saragih vs. Joo Sang Yoo 155 lbs.: Quillan Salkilld vs. Yanal Ashmouz 155 lbs.: MarQuel Mederos vs. Mark Choinski UFC 316 'PRELIMS' PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATES The Prudential Center, home to the New Jersey Devils, hosts UFC 316 tonight. To check out the latest and greatest UFC 316: 'Merab vs. O'Malley 2' news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. More from
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC 316 predictions: We like one ‘and still,' one ‘and new' in Newark —\u00a0but whom?
UFC 316 predictions: We like one 'and still,' one 'and new' in Newark — but whom? The UFC makes its return to New Jersey this week both bantamweight titles on the line at the top of the bill. UFC 316 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark. Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below. Kevin Holland vs. Vicente Luque Records: Holland (27-13 MMA, 14-10 UFC), Luque (23-10-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) Holland (27-13 MMA, 14-10 UFC), Luque (23-10-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) Past five: Holland 2-3, Luque 2-3 Holland 2-3, Luque 2-3 Division: Welterweight Welterweight Rankings: Luque honorable mention Luque honorable mention Odds (as of 06.07.25): Holland -280, Luque +225 Holland -280, Luque +225 Junkie pick results: Luque 7, Holland 4 Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix Records: Bautista (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Mix (20-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Bautista (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Mix (20-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Past five: Bautista 5-0, Mix 5-0 Bautista 5-0, Mix 5-0 Division: Bantamweight Bantamweight Rankings: Mix No. 6, Bautista No. 7 Mix No. 6, Bautista No. 7 Odds (as of 06.07.25): Bautista +150, Mix -180 Bautista +150, Mix -180 Junkie pick results: Mix 11, Bautista 0 Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer Records: Gastelum (20-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC), Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) Gastelum (20-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC), Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) Past five: Gastelum 2-3, Pyfer 4-1 Gastelum 2-3, Pyfer 4-1 Division: Middleweight Middleweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.07.25): Gastelum +295, Pyfer -375 Gastelum +295, Pyfer -375 Junkie pick results: Pyer 8, Gastelum 3 Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison Records: Peña (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) Peña (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) Past five: Peña 3-2, Harrison 4-1 Peña 3-2, Harrison 4-1 Division: Women's bantamweight Women's bantamweight Rankings: Peña No. 1, No. 5 pound-for-pound; Harrison No. 3, No. 7 pound-for-pound Peña No. 1, No. 5 pound-for-pound; Harrison No. 3, No. 7 pound-for-pound Odds (as of 06.07.25): Peña +525, Harrison -750 Peña +525, Harrison -750 Junkie pick results: Harrison 11, Peña 0 Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley Records: Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC), O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC), O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) Past five: Dvalishvili 5-0, O'Malley 4-1 Dvalishvili 5-0, O'Malley 4-1 Division: Bantamweight Bantamweight Rankings: Dvalishvili No. 1, No. 6 pound-for-pound; O'Malley No. 2, No. 14 pound-for-pound Dvalishvili No. 1, No. 6 pound-for-pound; O'Malley No. 2, No. 14 pound-for-pound Odds (as of 06.07.25): Dvalishvili -285, O'Malley +230 Dvalishvili -285, O'Malley +230 Junkie pick results: Dvalishvili 11, O'Malley 0 Individual staff member picks, main card Readers 65-46: Dvalishvili (68%), Harrison (79%), Pyfer (69%), Mix (77%), Holland (53%) Farah Hannoun 72-39: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Mike Bohn 71-40: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Nolan King 71-40: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Abbey Subhan 69-42: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Gastelum, Mix, Holland Dvalishvili, Harrison, Gastelum, Mix, Holland Kenny Hathaway 68-43: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Holland Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Holland Matt Erickson 68-43: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Simon Samano 65-46: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Gastelum, Mix, Holland Dvalishvili, Harrison, Gastelum, Mix, Holland Brian Garcia 64-47: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Danny Segura 63-48: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Luque George Garcia 61-50: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Gastelum, Mix, Luque Dvalishvili, Harrison, Gastelum, Mix, Luque Matthew Wells 60-51: Dvalishvili, Harrison, Pyfer, Mix, Holland Preliminary card picks Although they don't count toward the standings, MMA Junkie staff members still pick the fights on the prelims. Here are the results:
