Cleveland Cavaliers: Social media remembers Fred McLeod
The news of Cleveland Cavaliers’ play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod stunned the sports world, and social media responded accordingly.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost television play-by-play man Fred McLeod, who died of a heart attack on Monday, Sept. 9.
McLeod is as well known in Detroit as he is in Cleveland, having been a sports staple in the Motor City during the 80s and 90s broadcasting Pistons games. The native of Strongsville, Ohio, returned to northeast Ohio in 2006 to call Cavaliers games.
McLeod had also called Tigers games for a couple of seasons before coming home, but still returned to Michigan to call Lions’ preseason games.
This is a shock to everyone in the NBA community as McLeod was just seen recently at Cleveland Browns training camp talking football, presumably for his role with the Lions.
Needless to say, there’s been an outcrying of sadness and prayers to McLeod’s family on social media, as both Kings and Governors have weighed in on the broadcast legend’s death.
LeBron James posted his initial response to the news, and King James, followed up with a post containing video of McLeod calling the end of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1171433954596904962
Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine also sent prayers to McLeod’s family. McLeod’s wife Beth, is a well-known meteorologist in the region who works for Fox 8 Cleveland.
In addition to Beth, McLeod is survived by his mother Marilyn, sister Lynn, and three children, Sean, Jenna and Molly.
Fran and I are sad to learn of the sudden death of @CavsFredMcLeod. The outpouring of tributes from Ohio sports media show how respected Fred was as a broadcaster and colleague. Fran and I extend our condolences to his wife, mother, children, and to all of his family.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) September 10, 2019
Back to the court, Kevin Love, one of the members of the “Big 3” of that championship team, highlighted McLeod’s work ethic.
Shocked and saddened to hear about the loss of Fred McLeod. He was a student of the game. He loved the CAVS but even more so the fans...Fred worked his ass off for the city of Cleveland and the NBA. Praying and sending my best to his wife Beth and kids.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) September 10, 2019
NBA champ Channing Frye also weighed in the popular play-by-play man.
Couldn’t agree more with what Frye said in his comments…
It was a honor to work with him, his passion for the CAvs was infectious and created a culture of pride for the team and the city of Cleveland. Serious prayers go out to his family. https://t.co/sGhZYKhf8T
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) September 10, 2019
…So did big-man John Henson, who welcomed all the support McLeod has given in, even though he hasn’t even been here that long.
https://twitter.com/Johnhenson31/status/1171453985242271746
A sad day in Cleveland as well liked man was taken too soon.
Ultimately, McLeod was one of us. He grew up here and knew the pain of the Cleveland sports fan. He lived it as a broadcaster, too.
Remember, he was hired during LeBron’s first stint with the Cavs, and then just a few years later, after James left for Miami, McLeod had to call some of the worst basketball we’ve ever witnessed.
Next. 5 Browns whose stock plummeted in Week 1 vs Titans. dark
He soldiers on though as true professionals do and he was rewarded by calling the championship game with play-by-play partner Austin Carr.