John Brenkus, risk-taking host of ‘Sport Science,’ dies after battle with depression

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John Brenkus, the captivating television presenter known for inspiring sports enthusiasts with unique scientific perspectives, passed away, as reported by his production company, Brinx.TV, on Sunday in an official announcement.

John, who jointly established Base Productions, founded Brinx.TV, and was a key figure behind the six-time Emmy Award-winning ‘Sport Science,’ had been struggling with depression,” the statement noted. “Unfortunately, he could not overcome this devastating condition and passed away on May 31st, 2025.

Brenkus’ family and friends have asked for privacy now, as they are dealing with their sadness. They also urge anyone experiencing depression to reach out for help.

Born and raised in Vienna, Virginia, Brenkus has taken part in numerous Ironman Triathlon competitions throughout his life. Beyond sports, he is also an accomplished entrepreneur and media content creator. However, it’s his role as the presenter of “Sport Science” that earned him widespread recognition.

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Georgia O’Connor, an up-and-coming British boxer who was shining brightly, passed away recently at the age of 25. Earlier in the year, she shared that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Only a few weeks ago, she had also tied the knot.

The program was broadcast from 2007 to 2017, initially on Fox Sports as one-hour episodes for two seasons, and later on ESPN in segments integrated within other network programs. This series explored scientific experiments aimed at challenging popular beliefs about athletes, their talents, and the limits of the human body.

Besides many athletes, Brenkus frequently joined the experiments, often placing himself “at risk for the purpose of scientific advancement,” as ESPN described it in one instance.

The 2009 ESPN press release described Brenkus as someone who stands around 5’8″ tall and weighs roughly 160 pounds. He juggles his hosting and executive producing roles on Sport Science with appearing as the ‘Everyman.’ This allows him to illustrate what occurs when an ordinary individual competes against professional athletes at their peak. Throughout, he aids viewers in comprehending their own body systems and how to enhance overall performance, health, and wellness.

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On “SportsCenter” this morning, ESPN’s Randy Scott paid tribute to a late colleague, who was said to be 53 years old at the time of his passing.

According to Scott, John stood out as extraordinarily gifted and exceptionally intelligent when it came to both understanding sports and connecting them with science. He had an exceptional ability to convey these complex ideas in ways that would be remembered by many generations of fans. In essence, John was a memorable figure, and we were fortunate to have him in this world.

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2025-06-03 03:01