NFL.com has lost one of its long-time voices. Chris Wesseling joined NFL Media in 2013 after six years with NBC and Rotoworld, and quickly became a key figure in their Around The NFL content, both with written pieces and podcasts. Wesseling (seen above with his son Linc) had publicly spoken about battling cancer before, and his wife, Lakisha Jackson Wesseling (a digital editor for NFL.com), tweeted Saturday that he lost that fight this week.
Rest in heaven, Chris Wesseling ❤️ pic.twitter.com/og5CXrFfac
— Lakisha Wesseling (@LakishaJackson) February 6, 2021
Here’s a larger version of that text tribute:
Update: On Sunday, the @NFL account tweeted this clip of Rich Eisen paying tribute to Wesseling on NFLN:
A tribute to our friend, Chris Wesseling. ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/vIlSFL1kdB
— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2021
And tributes to Wesseling also poured in on Twitter from his NFL Media colleagues and countless others who cover the league:
I am shocked, sad, devastated. I will never forget getting to know Chris more on our zoom calls this offseason and his winding road to success. His love of Linc and Lakisha warmed my soul. I love you @LakishaJackson praying so hard for your heart. Loved your love story https://t.co/GooHufenSx
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) February 6, 2021
Absolutely heartbreaking. Wess was one of the best people I’ve known. Sending love to his family… https://t.co/sqHPDQf49L
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2021
My heart is broken.
We have lost our amazing friend Chris Wesseling.
An ally like no other. The most unique of men. The finest drinking pal + thinker. Honest. Fair. Kind. Real. A dreamer.
We will love + protect his beautiful wife @LakishaJackson + little Linc until the end. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/naBLwjmBhB
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSessler) February 6, 2021
Chris Wesseling was the man. Just a great hang, a genuinely good person, a terrific family man and a briliant football mind. This is tough.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) February 6, 2021
A brilliant football mind, incredible writer, and, above all, a really wonderful guy. My heart goes out to Lakisha and the Around the NFL crew. https://t.co/AMdSUgOEsl
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 6, 2021
Devastating
RIP, Chris Wesseling https://t.co/av4fh9bQff
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) February 6, 2021
Chris Wesseling … this one is going to leave a hole. He knew so damn much and was so generous with it. That man had a soul.
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) February 6, 2021
Oh my God, Lakisha. I am so so sorry for your loss … You and Linc are in my thoughts and in prayers 😔🙏🏾
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) February 6, 2021
Oh no. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a great man. Absolutely devastated for you all. 😭
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) February 6, 2021
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. You and Linc brought Wess so much fulfillment and joy. He was an amazing person and soul whose memory will live on forever. RIP 💔
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 6, 2021
Oh, Lakisha, I am so deeply sorry. Sending comfort and peace to you and your family at this time. Honoring his memory will always be at the front of my thoughts and dear in my heart. All of my love to you.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) February 6, 2021
Thank you for sharing this. Chris was such a beautiful person. I hope you feel the love we have for your family. ❤️🙏🏻
— Stephanie Stradley (@StephStradley) February 6, 2021
Oh no!! I’m so sorry for your loss 🙏🏿
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) February 6, 2021
I am so very very sad to hear this. Much love to you and your beautiful family.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) February 6, 2021
Thoughts are with you Lakisha. Chris gave myself and so many hours of entertainment over the years, he’ll be greatly missed.
— JD Bunkis (@JDBunkis) February 6, 2021
I’m so very sorry and hurt by this news … my family and I are praying for you 🙏🏻
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) February 6, 2021
Lakisha, I am so so sorry to hear this and wish you a mountain of love and prayers.
— Melissa Jacobs (@thefootballgirl) February 6, 2021
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss Lakisha. Sending you lots of love 💕💕💕💕
— Jackie Pepper ✊🏽☮️🌊 (@Jackie_Pepper) February 6, 2021
I’m so sorry, Lakisha. Chris was an incredible man. I was a huge fan of his before I came to work at the NFL and was even moreso after getting to know him. He was so authentically and unapologetically himself, committed to his work and friends. I’m lucky to have been one of them.
— Mark Pesavento (@markpesavento) February 6, 2021
Oh Lakisha, I am so, so sorry. I so loved listening to him on the podcast and reading his work over the years, and hearing about your beautiful love story. You and Linc are in my prayers.
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) February 6, 2021
Wesseling was a key figure in NFL coverage at all of NBC, Rotoworld, and NFL.com, and he’ll be greatly missed. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.
[Lakisha Jackson Wesseling on Twitter]
