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How did Jeff Dickerson die? ESPN NFL reporter who covered Chicago Bears dead at 44

Dickerson, a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joined ESPN in May 2001

Reporter Jeff Dickerson, a popular figure on the Chicago sports scene, died aged 44 on Tuesday, December 28, after battling cancer. Dickerson, a longtime ESPN reporter, who had gained his fame covering the Chicago Bears, had been undergoing treatment at a hospice center in Barrington after. He had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, and died of complications from colon cancer.

WMVP-AM 1000 personality Marc Silverman announced the news of Dickerson's death on 'The Waddle & Silvy Show', calling Dickerson 'the most optimistic man I’ve ever met in my life.' Dickerson’s wife Caitlin died of melanoma at the age of 36 about three years ago. Back at that time, Dickerson took time off from his ESPN duties to take care of his wife and raise their son Parker. 

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Dickerson, a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joined ESPN in May 2001. His NFL coverage is seen and heard across almost all of the company’s multimedia platforms, which include 'ESPN.com', 'SportsCenter', 'NFL Live' and 'Outside the Lines'.

Dickerson joined the ESPN Radio national network back in 2014. At ESPN, he began his career as a talk-show host/reporter/SportsCenter anchor at ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. He later spent as many as six years as ESPNChicago.com’s Chicago Bears beat writer. He transitioned to ESPN.com in April 2015. 

What is social media saying?

Social media users flooded Twitter with tributes and condolences after the news of Dickerson's death surfaced. NFL Insider for ESPN and Co-Host of the Fantasy Focus Football podcast Field Yates wrote, "Absolutely soul-crushing news to lose @DickersonESPN. JD was many things, but nothing made him prouder than being a father to his son Parker. He kept fighting when times were tough and kept a positive attitude every step of the way. You will be forever missed JD." Chicago Bears also shared a statement saying they are "heartbroken to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Jeff Dickerson". ESPN 1000 wrote, "Our hearts ache as we share that our teammate & friend, Jeff Dickerson, has passed away. JD was an amazing son, husband, father & friend. We will miss his smile, his love for his family & his love for all the fans of Chicago. You will live in our hearts forever. We love you JD."

"Heartbroken. So unfair and incomprehensible @DickersonESPN was an incredible husband, father & friend to everyone— praying for so much love to surround his son Parker- going through the unthinkable loss of both parents in 2 years. I have no words. Rest In Peace, my friend," one user wrote. "My heart and thoughts are with his family and his son. As sad as it gets. Was the best in the biz on @ESPN1000 and an all around great dude. He will be missed greatly," another user wrote.

"During my five years on the Bears beat, Jeff Dickerson was friendly and supportive. Always. The same person every single day. I looked up to him as a reporter because he oozed credibility. He was honest and fair, never sensational, and players respected him for that," one user wrote, while another wrote, "I am heartbroken by the loss of Jeff Dickerson. I got to know Jeff through my brother in law as they were close friends. I got to know him even more through my time with the bears. He did so much for me during my time there, and he didn’t have to. He then trusted me and our staff".