Ron Franklin passes away at age of 79

Sports broadcaster Ron Franklin delivers a keynote speech during the 14th annual East Texas Kick-Off Luncheon Tuesday at Green Acres Baptist Church CrossWalk Conference Center in Tyler. Cara Campbell//staff/ ▲

Ron Franklin (left) introduces Earl Campbell Friday at the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award dinner at Willow Brook Country Club. Both Franklin and Campbell are excited about Strong being named head coach of the Texas Longhorns. (Herb Nygren Jr. | Tyler Morning Telegraph) HNYG▲

Ron Franklin listens Ronald Jones II speak during the Fifth Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet at the Willowbrook Country Club in Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. Baker Mayfield won the award out of the five finalists. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph) By Phil Hicks, phicks@tylerpaper.com ▲

Joe Barrett, representing his son JT Barrett, and Ron Franklin speak during the Fifth Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. Baker Mayfield won the award out of the five finalists. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)▲

From Staff and Wire Reports

Updated Feb 24, 2023

Longtime sportscaster Ron Franklin passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79.

Franklin was a basketball and football play-by-play commentator for the University of Texas, the play-by-play voice of the Houston Oilers, the sports director for KSWS in Roswell, New Mexico, KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma, KHOU in Houston and KPRC in Houston. Franklin then spent 24 years working for ESPN as a commentator for college football and college basketball.

Franklin was the guest speaker at the 14th annual East Texas Kick-Off Luncheon in 2019, and he was the emcee multiple times at the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet.

Franklin also hosted The Earl Campbell Show when Campbell played for the Oilers.

TWITTER: @BrandonOSports

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