Sunday, August 02, 2020

Sad news for Detroit radio.

The best straight man in Detroit sports radio has died.


He was diagnosed in 2018 but only announced his battle with it last week.

He did not let on that it was found at Stage 4.

I myself settled in the Detroit area in 1993. Sports radio was part of my commutes back and forth to school and work, and 1130am was on my Olds Cutlass' pre-program button.

He was a great radio host and the perfect complement to every personality he worked with.
But his job, or jobs rather, hardly were Samuelsen's defining characteristics.

"He was such a great husband and great father, you could see that," [Detroit Lions play-by-play man Dan] Miller said. "He would bring his kids to a taping or to the football show. The love in that family is really what is just gutting me tonight, to know the void they have losing their father. Anything I feel is just for them.

"He used to bring Josh with him to tapings, and the way he looked at his dad was the way every son is supposed to look at his dad. It was just such a beautiful thing.

"My heart just breaks for that entire family."

Samuelsen, who also wrote for the Detroit Free Press and freep.com, made his public announcement about the cancer Monday morning, explaining to the audience why he had missed some recent time because of some infections. He used the platform to urge listeners to get a colonoscopy, which long has been recommended only for those over 50. He was diagnosed at age 46, already in stage 4.

48, leaving behind a wife and three children. Far, far too young. Hits a little to close to home, and I will miss listening to him.

May he rest in peace and the Lord comfort all who loved him.

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Be reasonably civil. Ire alloyed with reason is fine. But slagging the host gets you the banhammer.

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