Dan Patrick Saddened By Death Of Lifelong ESPN Friend

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23/04/2024 17:01

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 31: NBC studio analyst and radio host Dan Patrick looks on during the Super Bowl XLVI Broadcasters Press Conference at the Super Bowl XLVI Media Canter in the J.W. Marriott Indianapolis on January 31, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Monday's episode of The Dan Patrick Show had a rather somber moment when the eponymous host paid tribute to a recently departed friend, the icon Howie Schwab.

During Monday's show, Patrick offered his condolences and gave a heartfelt goodbye to Schwab, who he called a lifelong friend and had known for over 30 years. He referred to Schwab as "sports Google before sports Google" and praised him for being the smartest man he ever knew in regards to sports knowledge and trivia.

"Before we get started, I want to say goodbye to a lifelong friend who just passed away over the weekend, Howie Schwab," Patrick said. "I've know Howie for probably over 30 years … Howie was sports Google before sports Google. Google would have Googled Howie Schwab — he's the smartest guy that I ever met when it comes to sports knowledge, trivia, information.

"When I first started at SportsCenter, I was lucky to have Howie Schwab there, because he made us all better. He loved the bottom line, and that is getting the information from wherever he is finding it, to you while you're still on the air."

Schwab passed away this past weekend at the age of 63. He was the editor-in-chief at College & Pro Football News Weekly in the mid-1980s before moving to ESPN, where he went on to host the show Stump the Schwab in the mid-2000s and had a variety of other production roles at the network.

Our hearts go out to Schwab's family and loved ones.