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Longtime beloved ESPN employee dies suddenly at 52 as tributes pour in for Kansas City Chiefs superfan – ‘RIP friend’

A LONGTIME beloved ESPN employee has died suddenly at the age of 52 leaving many truly heartbroken. The popular ESPN producer had just undergone ankle surgery the day before his death. Barely 24 hours later after his surgery update on…

By Ricky Westaby · The U.S. Sun

Published: Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 9:14 PM

Key Things to Know

Longtime ESPN Radio producer and Kansas City Chiefs superfan Stosh Cienki has died suddenly at age 52.
Cienki reportedly passed away from a pulmonary embolism a day after undergoing ankle surgery.
Colleagues including Sarah Spain and Freddie Coleman shared heartfelt tributes honoring his kindness and decades of work.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Longtime ESPN Radio producer Stosh Cienki has died suddenly at the age of 52, barely 24 hours after sharing an update following ankle surgery. According to sources cited by Barret Media, Cienki experienced a fatal pulmonary embolism. Tributes quickly poured in from colleagues and sports figures honoring the beloved radio icon, who was also known as a passionate Kansas City Chiefs and Royals superfan.

Cienki worked behind the scenes in Bristol for ESPN Radio for over two decades. ESPN personalities, including Sarah Spain and Freddie Coleman, alongside former NFL wide receiver Qadry Ismail, shared emotional messages remembering his kindness, warmth, and steady presence. The Missouri native lived in Cheshire, Connecticut, and is survived by his wife, Kelly Ann, and their five children.

Read the full article on The U.S. Sun