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Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What Happened to Jon Burnett? Former KDKA News Anchor Passes Away
Longtime KDKA-TV news anchor and weather forecaster Jon Burnett has passed away at 71. With decades in broadcasting, he became a familiar face in Pittsburgh, known for his charisma, authenticity, and dedication to his work. The news of Jon Burnett's death has left a lasting impact on colleagues and viewers who admired his warmth and professionalism. Jon Burnett, former KDKA-TV weather forecaster and talk show host, has died at 71. His passing seems linked to complications from suspected CTE. Known for his charisma, Burnett was a beloved television personality who spent decades as a familiar face in Pittsburgh broadcasting (via CBS News). The station wrote on Instagram, 'Beloved former KDKA-TV personality Jon Burnett has died. Remembered as authentic, original, talented and compassionate, he leaves behind an incredible legacy. See more photos of his remarkable career at the link in the bio.' Burnett's career at KDKA-TV began in 1982 when he became a co-host of Evening Magazine. His ability to connect with audiences made him a prominent figure in the network, and in 1985, he transitioned to co-hosting Pittsburgh 2Day. When both programs ended in the early 1990s, he shifted back to meteorology, becoming a key part of KDKA's weather team for nearly three decades. Colleagues and viewers admired his authenticity and natural presence on screen. Before his television career, Burnett was a football player at the University of Tennessee, where he suffered repeated head injuries, including major concussions (via CBS News). In recent years, he experienced neurological issues and memory loss, leading to a diagnosis of suspected CTE. In early 2024, he and his family decided to participate in the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh, contributing to research on brain disorders and CTE. Burnett retired from broadcasting in 2019 but remained a beloved figure in Pittsburgh. His impact extended beyond television, as his openness about his health struggles helped raise awareness about CTE. The post What Happened to Jon Burnett? Former KDKA News Anchor Passes Away appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Former KDKA News Anchor Jon Burnett Passes Away at 71
Longtime KDKA-TV news anchor and weather forecaster Jon Burnett has passed away at 71. With decades in broadcasting, he became a familiar face in Pittsburgh, known for his charisma, authenticity, and dedication to his work. The news of Jon Burnett's death has left a lasting impact on colleagues and viewers who admired his warmth and professionalism. Jon Burnett, former KDKA-TV weather forecaster and talk show host, has died at 71. His passing seems linked to complications from suspected CTE. Known for his charisma, Burnett was a beloved television personality who spent decades as a familiar face in Pittsburgh broadcasting (via CBS News). The station wrote on Instagram, 'Beloved former KDKA-TV personality Jon Burnett has died. Remembered as authentic, original, talented and compassionate, he leaves behind an incredible legacy. See more photos of his remarkable career at the link in the bio.' Burnett's career at KDKA-TV began in 1982 when he became a co-host of Evening Magazine. His ability to connect with audiences made him a prominent figure in the network, and in 1985, he transitioned to co-hosting Pittsburgh 2Day. When both programs ended in the early 1990s, he shifted back to meteorology, becoming a key part of KDKA's weather team for nearly three decades. Colleagues and viewers admired his authenticity and natural presence on screen. Before his television career, Burnett was a football player at the University of Tennessee, where he suffered repeated head injuries, including major concussions (via CBS News). In recent years, he experienced neurological issues and memory loss, leading to a diagnosis of suspected CTE. In early 2024, he and his family decided to participate in the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh, contributing to research on brain disorders and CTE. Burnett retired from broadcasting in 2019 but remained a beloved figure in Pittsburgh. His impact extended beyond television, as his openness about his health struggles helped raise awareness about CTE. Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon. The post Former KDKA News Anchor Jon Burnett Passes Away at 71 appeared first on Mandatory.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Jon Burnett, longtime weatherman for CBS Pittsburgh, dies at 71
Jon Burnett, longtime weatherman for CBS Pittsburgh, dies at 71 Show Caption Hide Caption Why CTE is more common than you think Concern is growing as more football players are diagnosed with CTE after their deaths. USA TODAY TV journalist Jon Burnett, a longtime weather forecaster for CBS Pittsburgh, has died. He was 71. The Pittsburgh station, also known as KDKA-TV, confirmed Burnett's death in an obituary published Thursday. The date of Burnett's death was not disclosed. "KDKA-TV is sad to report that Jon died of complications from suspected CTE at age 71, according to Dr. Joseph Malone, a UPMC Cognitive Neurologist," the obituary read. "He leaves behind an incredible legacy." CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive degenerative brain disease, according to Boston University's CTE Research Center, which has led research on the disease. The condition is caused by a history of repeated hits to the head and emerges months or even years after the head injuries were sustained, according to Boston University. TV anchor Chauncy Glover: Los Angeles journalist's cause of death revealed Athletes in a number of contact sports, including football, hockey and boxing have been diagnosed with CTE over the years, per Boston University. It was first observed in boxers in the early 20th century and was known as punch drunk symptom. Official diagnoses can only be made posthumously, upon close examination of the brain. Burnett played tackle football throughout childhood and later as a defensive end at the University of Tennessee. The news personality suffered two major concussions during his athletic career, according to a 2024 interview with KDKA. He reflected that he used his head to hit another player 30-40 times per game, resulting in hundreds of collisions over the years. After a stint as a weather forecaster, Burnett joined KDKA-TV in 1982 when he was tapped to serve as co-host of the lifestyle talk show "Evening Magazine," per Burnett's obituary. "There's something that comes through that screen and you really can't fool it, and I think Jon was just a natural," Burnett's co-host Mary Robb Jackson told KDKA. Burnett also went on to host "Pittsburgh 2Day" beginning in 1985. He returned to his meteorological roots in the early 1990s when he joined the KDKA weather team, a position he held for nearly 30 years, according to the CBS affiliate station. "When you saw Jon on TV, you would immediately say, 'That's a guy I wouldn't mind having in my living room live and in person,'" former KDKA meteorologist Dennis Bowman told the station. Burnett retired from journalism in 2019, according to KDKA. He went on to suffer major health issues such as memory loss and other neurological ailments, including his diagnosis of suspected CTE. In 2024, the weatherman joined an ongoing study by the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh, which required an agreement to posthumously donate his brain, according to KDKA. Utilizing a donation registry of former contact sport participants, the National Sports Brain Bank's programming focuses on research and treatment of brain disorders and CTE. "If I can help anybody on this road, who is on this road or will be on this road in the years ahead, I feel better about being able to do that," Burnett told KDKA-TV in a 2024 interview. Burnett is survived by his wife Debbie and his adult children, Samantha and Eric. Contributing: Orlando Mayorquin, USA TODAY
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Remembering the life of our friend and beloved colleague Jon Burnett
Pictures Pittsburgh first met Jon Burnett in 1982 when KDKA-TV hired him as the new co-host of Evening Magazine. Remembering Jon Burnett A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, viewers instantly fell in love with Jon's Southern charm. Remembering Jon Burnett In 1985, Jon also began co-hosting Pittsburgh 2Day. Remembering Jon Burnett Liz Miles: "He was my partner, one of the most significant people in my life." Remembering Jon Burnett Mary Robb Jackson: "He was a bright light in the world. And boy, when a bright light goes out, you know it. And that was Jon." Remembering Jon Burnett Patrice King Brown: "My TV brother. I will love him forever." Remembering Jon Burnett Ron Klink: "There's the old saying: If you want a friend, be a friend. And that's how Jon had so many friends. He was a friend to people." Remembering Jon Burnett Stacy Smith: "He knew how to communicate to that camera lens and make you feel like he was one of your best friends." Remembering Jon Burnett Remembering Jon Burnett Dennis Bowman: "He wanted to share himself with people. He wanted you to know him and he wanted to know you." Remembering Jon Burnett Jill Neely: "He had the biggest heart and he truly loved people." Remembering Jon Burnett Larry Richert: "You never know what's gonna happen in life and Jon lived it to the fullest." Remembering Jon Burnett Brenda Waters: "If you were down, Jon would bring you up. You'd forget about your problems. He had that magnetic personality and that doesn't come along often." Remembering Jon Burnett Jon retired in 2019 and over the last few years dealt with serious health issues, including memory loss and other neurological problems. His doctors eventually diagnosed him with suspected CTE. Remembering Jon Burnett In early 2024, Jon and his family made the decision to participate in the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh, which is dedicated to research and treatment of brain disorders and CTE. Remembering Jon Burnett We'll miss you, Jon! You leave a lasting legacy here at KDKA-TV.
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Jon Burnett, beloved former KDKA-TV personality, dies at age 71
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Many words come to mind when remembering former KDKA talk show host and weather forecaster Jon Burnett. He was authentic, original, talented and compassionate. KDKA-TV is sad to report that Jon died of complications from suspected CTE at age 71. He leaves behind an incredible legacy. Mary Robb Jackson said it best: "People loved Jon." His former KDKA-TV coworkers remembered him as a genuine, caring person who was the same on screen as off. Paul Martino said Jon "was a man who was made to be on television." "People would always ask, 'Is Jon Burnett as nice as he seems on TV?' and the answer is yes," said former Pittsburgh Today Live producer Jilly Neely. Pittsburgh first met Jon Burnett in 1982 when KDKA-TV hired him as the new co-host of Evening Magazine. "We traveled around the world together. Jon used to say we take people around the world and around the corner," said Evening Magazine co-host Liz Miles. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, viewers instantly fell in love with Jon's Southern charm. "There's something that comes through that screen and you really can't fool it, and I think Jon was just a natural," said Evening Magazine co-host Mary Robb Jackson. "I think of Jon as just being ready for anything. Tom Cruise and Jon Burnett did all their own stunts and there was nothing that intimidated him," Miles said. In 1985, Jon also began co-hosting Pittsburgh 2Day. "It was just like having your brother right there," said Pittsburgh 2Day co-host Patrice King Brown. "I mean somebody you could really tease, somebody who would tease you mercilessly as well as the whole staff, he did that. I never had so much fun as I did the years I worked with Jon Burnett." In the early 90s, when both Evening Magazine and Pittsburgh 2Day ended, Jon returned to his roots as a weather forecaster. Jon had done weather at his previous jobs in TV before coming to KDKA , so it wasn't a huge stretch, but it also wasn't automatically easy for him. "But, you know, he took that challenge on with the same energy and that's how he resonated with people because he was kinda our guy," said KDKA NewsRadio's Larry Richert. For nearly 30 years, Jon was a trusted member of the KDKA weather team. "When you saw Jon on TV, you would immediately say, 'that's a guy I wouldn't mind having in my living room live and in person,'" said former KDKA meteorologist Dennis Bowman. Jon took the weather seriously but he never took himself too seriously. Retired KDKA-TV news anchors agree. Paul Martino said Jon was unpredictable, and Stacy Smith said, "It was always a thrill in a way to throw it over to him because you didn't know what for sure Jon was going to say." Ron Klink said Jon was just as comfortable on air as he was off-air and Brenda Waters said he was "real." "'Yes this is the way I am, this is how I act, this is what I say, this is what I do.' This is Jon. He was real and I think people always appreciated that," Waters said. Jon was Kristine Sorensen's co-host on Pittsburgh Today Live for 11 years, and there was never a dull moment. "You never knew what you were going to get and that was a lot of his charm. He was so spontaneous and loving and fun," Jill Neely said. Jon retired in 2019 and over the last few years dealt with serious health issues, including memory loss and other neurological problems. His doctors eventually diagnosed him with suspected CTE, likely caused by his years of playing football starting as a young child through college, at the University of Tennessee. In early 2024, Jon and his family made the decision to participate in the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh, which is dedicated to research and treatment of brain disorders and CTE. "If I can help anybody on this road, who is on this road or will be on this road in the years ahead, I feel better about being able to do that and being able to learn from my experiences," he told Sorensen last year. Jon shared his story publicly in the hope of getting others to participate, but even he couldn't have imagined the response. Since KDKA-TV's story aired, the number of people signed up to be part of the research at the National Sports Brain Bank more than doubled, thanks to Jon. It's a fitting final chapter for a man whose life was defined by helping others. Former KDKA-TV personalities remember Jon Larry Richert: "You never know what's gonna happen in life and Jon lived it to the fullest." Jill Neely: "He had the biggest heart and he truly loved people." Ron Klink: "There's the old saying: If you want a friend, be a friend. And that's how Jon had so many friends. He was a friend to people." Dennis Bowman: "He wanted to share himself with people. He wanted you to know him and he wanted to know you." Stacy Smith: "He knew how to communicate to that camera lens and make you feel like he was one of your best friends." Brenda Waters: "If you were down, Jon would bring you up. You'd forget about your problems. He had that magnetic personality and that doesn't come along often." Paul Martino: "I know viewers miss him and I sure as heck miss him." Mary Robb Jackson: "He was a bright light in the world. And boy, when a bright light goes out, you know it. And that was Jon." Liz Miles: "He was my partner, one of the most significant people in my life." Patrice King Brown: "My TV brother. I will love him forever." When he retired in 2019, Jon called KDKA-TV his second family. "I don't think I deserved it. I don't think I've been talented enough to be what I've been, where I've been, but I'm here and I've enjoyed every minute of the ride," Burnett said then.
