Carley McCord, a sports reporter at a Louisiana TV station and the daughter-in-law of LSU's offensive coordinator, was among the victims who died in a Peach Bowl-bound plane crash Saturday.
McCord’s husband, Steven Ensminger Jr., confirmed her death to The Associated Press. His dad, Steve Ensminger is Louisiana State University’s offensive coordinator.
The Tigers play the Oklahoma Sooners in Saturday’s Peach Bowl at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
On Saturday afternoon, friends and colleagues shared tributes to McCord, who worked at WDSU in New Orleans, on social media.
"It is with broken hearts that we share that WDSU lost a beloved member of our team today. Our hearts are with the McCord and Ensminger families at this time," a tweet from the TV station reads.
In a statement published by ESPN, WDSU president and general manager Joel Vilmenay said, "Carley's passion for sports journalism and her deep knowledge of Louisiana sports, from high school to the professional ranks, made her an exceptional journalist."
A fellow reporter at the station, Fletcher Mackel, described McCord as “smart, funny, hard working - a friend to everyone.”
"It was impossible not to like Carley McCord," he wrote in a tweet.
Brody Miller, an LSU beat reporter for The Athletic, shared a video of McCord dancing with the elder Ensminger on her and his son's wedding day.
The flight, which left Lafayette Regional Airport at 9:20 a.m. was headed to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, according to Flightaware.com.
Authorities have confirmed five deaths in the crash.
It is with broken hearts that we share that WDSU lost a beloved member of our team today. Our hearts are with the McCord and Ensminger families at this time. https://t.co/H76Mvjkooj
— wdsu (@wdsu) December 28, 2019
Can't help but go back to this video of Carley McCord and Steve Ensminger dancing at her wedding.
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) December 28, 2019
She and Steven Ensminger Jr. were married less than two years ago. https://t.co/z61qvutV4r
Beyond devastating.
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) December 28, 2019
One of the most amazing people to come into my life.
Smart, funny, hard working - a friend to everyone.
It was impossible not to like Carley McCord.
Still trying to process this.
Thoughts and prayers go out to her husband Steven, family and friends. https://t.co/Gzjm0Mr2F5
Carley McCord, a sideline reporter for CST, covered plenty of football games at McNeese, where Ed Orgeron's sons played.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 28, 2019
They are pictured with her in the first photo. Second is her and #LSU OC Steve Ensminger. Third is her and husband Steven Ensminger Jr. pic.twitter.com/ZQURKZxJUe
I took this picture of Carley McCord @carleymccord posing with the St. James chain during the Class 3A state title game earlier this month. RIP to her and the other plane crash victims and their families. So sad. pic.twitter.com/GYwNgLWnGZ
— Chris Singleton (@courierchris) December 28, 2019
Awful news to report as Carley McCord, daughter in-law to #LSU OC Steve Ensminger, was one of the five fatalities in the Lafayette plane crash earlier today.
— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) December 28, 2019
Ensminger will coach in the Peach Bowl against Oklahoma.https://t.co/FJK4BTwQEw pic.twitter.com/zwBAnS0f5d
Everyone has their Carley story. Mine? She called me "T" — short for T-rex because my arms aren't very long.
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) December 28, 2019
She loved everyone with no limits. We're all speechless and sad today.https://t.co/5wtrmPqg1z
The first time @CarleyMcCord called me she was so excited that she kept apologizing for talking too much. We bonded over our similar journeys. She was sweet, sassy, passionate about her sports reporting, funny...I'm heartbroken to hear about Carley's death. Gone way too soon💔
— Amy Lawrence (@ALawRadio) December 28, 2019
Carley McCord was a Baton Rouge native who held a close connection with those at #LSU, even before she wed Steven Ensminger Jr.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 28, 2019
Many with the program are crushed. There are tears during pregame.
We're all a bit numb. Such a huge day for #LSU combined with an equally horrific tragedy. I'm kinda in a fog. We'll miss you, sweet Carley. pic.twitter.com/pZyZHcWyBc
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) December 28, 2019
Such a sweet soul💔 you’ll be missed Carley pic.twitter.com/Pe2TuvC5lI
— 2️⃣9️⃣ (@DhaSickest) December 28, 2019
Lifting up Carley’s family, friends, and sports media community in prayer.
— Madeline Adams (@MadelineAdamsTV) December 28, 2019
Carley was a light. Always uplifting and so positive. Encouraged me anytime she saw me on the sidelines.
The world lost a true gem today.
RIP Carley McCord.
— Travers Mackel (@TraversWDSU) December 28, 2019
This pic is from December 1st, when Meghan and I brought Finley to her first #NOLA @PelicansNBA game, and Carley was there covering it.
Just a tragic situation, a great person who always had a smile on her face. pic.twitter.com/kYblQ5GkY3
The Blue Wahoos are heartbroken to hear of the loss of Carley McCord. She brought joy to Blue Wahoos Stadium and we're blessed to have known her. pic.twitter.com/6hYBAy3Ccb
— Pensacola Blue Wahoos (@BlueWahoosBBall) December 28, 2019
Our prayers and condolences are with the McCord and Ensminger families after the passing of Carley McCord.
— Sun Belt (@SunBelt) December 28, 2019
Carley was an integral part in helping tell Sun Belt stories from the sidelines and she will be dearly missed. pic.twitter.com/xIZYkiKrtI
Just devastated about the news of the death of my good friend @CarleyMcCord .. it’s numbing. She was always a ray of sunshine, we shared a lot of laughs/life events and in a crowded room we found each other quickly. Honored to read scripture at her wedding. I’m going to miss her. pic.twitter.com/ePEVFvqX4A
— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) December 28, 2019
Wow RIP Carley. https://t.co/SPboxJWkys
— Teddy Bridgewater (@teddyb_h2o) December 28, 2019
Statement from the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans pic.twitter.com/1WhBvJmjI5
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 28, 2019
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