A famed former NFL player and broadcaster has passed away. Frank Wycheck, a tight end who shone at Maryland and then in the NFL with Washington and then the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (where he was a key part of the Music City Miracle) and then went on to a radio broadcasting career in Nashville, passed away at 52 this weekend. 104.5 The Zone in Tennessee, one of the stations Wycheck worked for (from 2001-2017), announced his passing Sunday, passing along a statement from his PR team and family:
https://twitter.com/1045thezone/status/1733902891092476162
Wycheck’s NFL career saw him play in 155 games over 11 years, recording 505 catches for 5,126 yards and 28 touchdowns. When he retired, he was fourth all-time in receptions amongst tight ends, behind only Shannon Sharpe (815), Ozzie Newsome (662) and Kellen Winslow (541). He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and also was a crucial part of that January 8, 2000 “Music City Miracle,” throwing the critical lateral that set up Kevin Dyson’s 75-yard scamper for a touchdown to let the Titans beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card round.
Wycheck started his broadcasting career with 104.5 The Zone in 2001 while still playing, and became a regular morning show co-host there in 2004 after his retirement. He also started working as the Titans’ radio analyst in 2005 (with The Zone as their flagship station), and held that role and the morning show role at The Zone through 2017. He initially was supposed to be taking just a year off from the Titans radio role and was supposed to continue working as a “floater” at The Zone.
But those moves came after Wycheck discussed the issues he was having with the aftereffects of head injuries (which saw him miss calling a game in the 2016 season). There, he said he was “sure” he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and he spoke about how he was facing everything from migraines to light sensitivity to depression. And he never returned to full-time work on the Titans’ broadcasts.
Wycheck certainly made his mark as both a player and a broadcaster. And it’s unfortunate to see him pass away this young. Here are some tributes to him from the football world Sunday:
https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1733922578115289452
https://twitter.com/BoScaife80/status/1733900208616947859
Maryland Football mourns the loss of Terrapin legend Frank Wycheck
Our thoughts are with his family and friends pic.twitter.com/fKuA0orm7Y
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) December 10, 2023
Saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and former teammate Frank Wycheck. Great man gone way too soon! RIP brother
— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) December 10, 2023
Nestor: Sending my thoughts to everyone who knew Frank Wycheck. He was always good to me and we always talked Maryland Terps. RIP to hero of Music City Miracle, a memorable game I attended in Nashville back in the glory era. My 2000 Radio Row sitdown at Atlanta Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/zKaW7a6JFo
— WNST Baltimore Positive (@WNST) December 10, 2023
Ex-Titans TE Frank Wycheck, 52, dies after fall at home.
I am heartbroken. Frank retired from #concussions at 32 & was courageously outspoken.
He was in the first group of athletes to publicly pledge to donate their brain in 2008. We owe him a great debt. https://t.co/dwwL6ZDUR6— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) December 10, 2023
Frank Wycheck of course is a legend and will be missed. RIP. https://t.co/smsPZRlFU0
— Ken Fang — Very Asian (@fangsbites) December 10, 2023
Our thoughts go out to Wycheck’s family and friends.
[104.5 The Zone on Twitter, TennesseeTitans.com]
About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.