News Anchor and Former Football Player Jon Burnett Dies – Cause of Death Revealed

The network said Burnett was “Remembered as authentic, original, talented and compassionate, he leaves behind an incredible legacy.” Dr. Joseph Malone, a UPMC Cognitive Neurologist, stated that the journalist died of complications from suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

Burnett spent nearly 30 years working for the KDKA weather team. He first began working in Pittsburgh in 1982 after KDKA-TV hired him as the new co-host of “Evening Magazine.” He retired from the network at age 65, around five years before his death.

Since retiring, he's battled health challenges and was recently diagnosed with suspected CTE, described as a “progressive brain disease that's caused by repetitive blows to the head.”

The diagnosis was considered possible because CTE can only be definitively confirmed through an autopsy of the brain. The condition was linked to Burnett's past as a football player. He and his family previously shared his story to help others better understand CTE.

In a past interview with former colleague and friend Kristine Sorensen, Burnett revealed that his condition had become familiar, as his short-term memory had been declining for ten years.

In the last two years, other symptoms had worsened, including a reduced facial expression and difficulty shuffling cards. His wife, Debbie, has not left him alone since he experienced a choking incident that resulted in him being placed on a soft food diet.

Burnett was also not allowed to drive and had been hospitalized multiple times recently. His wife admitted that they had faced challenges and that their retirement was not what they had expected.

The late news anchor initially felt proud of his diagnosis, as it meant he had been playing “head first” while tackling other players on the football field. However, he acknowledged that he had paid the price for the multiple concussions he suffered over the years.

Burnett began playing tackle football at the age of ten in Knoxville, Tennessee. By high school, he was playing two positions — fullback and defensive end — and was eventually recruited to play defensive end at the University of Tennessee.

During his football career, Burnett suffered two significant concussions, both of which knocked him out cold. One incident occurred during practice at the Gator Bowl in 1973 when his helmet split due to a hard hit.

Burnett estimated that he used his head 30 to 40 times per game to tackle other players, amounting to hundreds of hits over a decade. CTE is associated not only with football but also with other contact sports such as boxing, rugby, ice hockey, cheerleading, motocross, horseback riding, and soccer.

Research also suggests that people in the military may develop CTE from head injuries. Ken Rice, a former colleague of Burnett's, paid tribute to him by saying, “God bless Jon, his family, and God bless the researchers who are trying to … understand it [CTE] and prevent it from happening to more and more players.”

Burnett was also involved in research conducted by the new National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh. The research team is seeking participants who play contact sports, either recreationally or professionally, or who engage in activities with a high risk of concussion. A link for participation is available on KDKA-TV’s website.

Participants are required to complete an annual online questionnaire and agree to donate their brains upon death. In addition to Burnett, former Pittsburgh Steelers stars Jerome Bettis and Merril Hoge are also participating in the research.

Neuropathologist Julia Kofler, the director of the Brain Bank, is studying athletes while they are alive and analyzing their brains after death. Burnett agreed to donate his brain for research, with each brain being used in multiple studies over several decades.

Burnett expressed his hope to contribute to research by saying, “If I can help anybody on this road, who is on this road or will be on this road in the years ahead, I feel better about being able to do that.” Kofler hopes that the findings will benefit individuals who play contact sports.

Burnett's former KDKA-TV colleague, Mary Robb Jackson, said of his legacy, “People loved Jon.” In its Facebook tribute, KDKA-TV quoted Jackson as saying, “He was a bright light in the world. And boy, when a bright light goes out, you know it. And that was Jon.”

Other former coworkers remembered him as a genuine and caring person who was the same on and off screen. Paul Martino, another former colleague, described him as “a man who was made to be on television,” while former “Pittsburgh Today Live” producer Jill Neely said, “People would always ask, ‘Is Jon Burnett as nice as he seems on TV?' and the answer is yes.”

Kym Gable posted a throwback photo on Facebook of herself with Burnett in the studio, writing, “Jon always asked about YOU and YOUR family first. Always offered the best life advice. (which I needed and appreciated!)”

She added that Burnett “always made us laugh. Authentic. Humble. Kind. And so very talented and dedicated. We know he was beloved by all of you as well.” Susan Koeppen also mourned his passing by sharing a photo of Burnett playfully carrying her in the studio.

She captioned the post, “RIP Jon Burnett. You were such a bright star — a wonderful friend — and an amazing co-worker. Thank you for the years of laughs, smiles, and shenanigans. The world has lost a great man.”

After news of his passing broke, some of his former KDKA-TV colleagues paid tribute during a live broadcast by sharing fond memories. The four news anchors recalled how difficult it was to be around Burnett without smiling and laughing.

One former colleague shared his first impression of the late star when he joined the network ten years ago. While seated between Burnett and Martino, they began discussing SEC football, as Burnett was a proud Tennessee Volunteer.

Ray Petelin, a weatherman, even wore a “Tennessee orange” tie on air in Burnett's honor. He said, “If you knew Jon for a minute, you knew him for a lifetime. That's the kind of guy he was, so he'll definitely be missed. We had a lot of chats back there about a lot of different things,” concluding, “We miss you, Jon.”

AmoMama extends its condolences to Jon Burnett's loved ones. May he rest in peace.