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Beloved Tennessee Sports Host Dies in Tragic Crash
22 Feb
Summary
- Sports host Wes Rucker died in a five-vehicle crash.
- Rucker was awaiting the birth of his second child in May.
- He was a devoted father to his son, Hank, and husband to Lauren.
Tennessee sports reporter Wes Rucker, 43, died on Thursday in a multi-vehicle collision on I-40 West in Knoxville. Rucker was the sole fatality in the five-vehicle accident, which occurred shortly before 5 p.m.
He was a devoted family man, survived by his wife, Lauren, who is expecting their second child in May, and their four-year-old son, Hank. Rucker had recently expressed his love for his wife in a Valentine's Day post.
Rucker was a respected figure in the sports journalism community, having covered University of Tennessee athletics since 2000. His career spanned over 25 years, earning him numerous awards. He had recently launched a daily podcast.
Tributes poured in from colleagues, athletes, and fans who remembered Rucker for his dedication to reporting and his personal warmth. The University of Tennessee baseball team honored him by leaving his press box seat empty.
