Jamie Samuelsen of '97.1 The Ticket' dies at 48, shocked fans recall listening to him on Detroit sports radio
Jamie Samuelsen, who was the host of 97.1 The Ticket, died on Saturday, August 1, at the age of 48. He had been battling colon cancer since the beginning of 2019.
He had announced his condition and said, "Each morning since my diagnosis, I got up, turned on the radio mic and got to talk sports. I needed the escape from cancer, just like so many of our listeners who face hardships, grief and illness, too -- they turned to us in the morning for some levity in this crazy world. So I wanted to continue to have fun and not let cancer get in the way of doing what I loved." He was surrounded by his wife, Christy, and three children, Caroline, 16, Josh, 14, and Catherine, 11, when he died in his home.
After spending 25 years at Detroit Sports Radio, he joined The Ticket in 2012. His death has led to an outbreak of grief. His close friend, Michael Stone tweeted, "I am heartbroken by the passing of my great longtime friend and radio partner Jamie Samuelsen. He was one of a kind. Smart, kind and had a great sense of humor. He battled this for over 19 months.I will miss him dearly. Love you always James K."
I am heartbroken by the passing of my great longtime friend and radio partner Jamie Samuelsen. He was one of a kind. Smart, kind and had a great sense of humor. He battled this for over 19 months.I will miss him dearly. Love you always James K.
— michael stone (@stoney16) August 2, 2020
His former colleague, Isaac tweeted, "Jamie Samuelsen sent me a really kind, personal note a few weeks back. He shared his diagnosis with me. He told me about his ups and downs. I felt his frustration. Jamie Samuelsen was one of the good ones. R.I.P."
Jamie Samuelsen sent me a really kind, personal note a few weeks back. He shared his diagnosis with me. He told me about his ups and downs. I felt his frustration.
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) August 2, 2020
Jamie Samuelsen was one of the good ones.
R.I.P.
Dave Revsine wrote, "Crushed by the passing of Jamie Samuelsen, a wonderful friend for the last 30 years. Jamie was, quite simply, one of the best people I know - smart, funny, caring and incredibly talented. Cancer is so cruel and unfair. Please keep Jamie in your thoughts. I know I will."
Crushed by the passing of Jamie Samuelsen, a wonderful friend for the last 30 years. Jamie was, quite simply, one of the best people I know - smart, funny, caring and incredibly talented. Cancer is so cruel and unfair. Please keep Jamie in your thoughts. I know I will. pic.twitter.com/Q1O73XHU6R
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 2, 2020
Fans are heartbroken at this loss and have expressed their sorrow. "Jamie Samuelsen was someone I really looked up to. Was lucky enough to talk to him a few years ago when I was figuring out that radio was what I wanted to do. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Jamie Samuelsen was someone I really looked up to. Was lucky enough to talk to him a few years ago when I was figuring out that radio was what I wanted to do. My thoughts and prayers are with his family
— B1G Blake (@blakemajchrzak) August 2, 2020
Another wrote, "Truly devastated to learn of the passing of @JamieSamuelsen. I’ve listened to him on Detroit Sports radio since I was 12 & I can’t thank him enough for all the entertainment and banter he’s provided me over the years. Thank you for everything Jamie. The world will miss you."
Truly devastated to learn of the passing of @JamieSamuelsen. 😭 I’ve listened to him on Detroit Sports radio since I was 12 & I can’t thank him enough for all the entertainment and banter he’s provided me over the years. Thank you for everything Jamie. The world will miss you.😔
— Mike Solano (@Solano66) August 2, 2020
One tweeted, "My heart absolutely breaks for @JamieSamuelsen and his family. In absolute shock.f**k cancer."
My heart absolutely breaks for @JamieSamuelsen and his family. In absolute shock.😢😢😢 f**k cancer
— Mike Grimaldi (@Mgrimaldi427) August 2, 2020