Rod Bramblett, the "Voice of the Auburn Tigers," and his wife were killed in a car accident Saturday night in Auburn, Ala., the Opelika-Auburn News reported.
The Brambletts’ 2017 Toyota Highlander was waiting to make a turn when it was rear-ended by a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 16-year-old near the Auburn campus.
Rod Bramblett, 52, died from a head injury, Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said Sunday. His wife, Paula, 53, who worked in Auburn’s Information Technology Department, died from internal injuries. The teen driver sustained serious injuries.
“All of us in the Auburn family are devastated by the tragic passing of Rod and Paula Bramblett,” Auburn Director of Athletics Allen Greene said in a statement. “A nationally recognized broadcaster, Rod’s love for Auburn was fervent. You could hear it coming through the radio loud and clear each time he exclaimed ‘Touchdown Auburn!’ ”
Rod will always be the Voice of the Auburn Tigers.
— Auburn Tigers (@AuburnTigers) May 26, 2019
Please join the Auburn Family in praying for the Bramblett family.https://t.co/TQTSU8UPYI
Alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation by the Lee County Coroner's Office and the Auburn Police Division, the Opelika-Auburn News reported.
A pubic memorial service has been planned for 2 p.m. (CT) Thursday, May 30, at Auburn Arena.
The Brambletts had been together since high school. They are survived by two children, daughter Shelby, an Auburn student, and son Joshua.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula,” football coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. “(Rod) loved Auburn and it showed in his work. This is a difficult time and we will continue to pray and offer our support to the Bramblett family, especially their children Shelby and Joshua.”
Rod Bramblett graduated from Auburn in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He began his Auburn broadcasting career in 1993 calling baseball games. He had been the play-by-play announcer for Auburn football and basketball games since 2003.
Bramblett was a three-time Alabama Sportscaster of the Year. Sports Illustrated named Bramblett the national broadcaster of the year in 2013 after his calls during wins over Alabama — “Kick Six” — and Georgia — “Miracle in Jordan-Hare.”
He called Auburn’s first Final Four trip in April.
Tributes on social media poured in on Sunday:
A tribute to Rod Bramblett at the booth where he called Auburn’s game on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/Wxp0Uaf7sA
— SEC Radio Network (@SEC_Radio) May 26, 2019
Devastated to hear the news regarding Auburn play by play man Rod Bramblett & his wife Paula, who were killed in a car accident. My thoughts-condolences & prayers to his family & the entire Auburn family. He was a pros pro in the booth. He & Paula will both be missed greatly. https://t.co/sxe2CentWJ
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) May 26, 2019
This was Rod Bramblett. Total radio pro in the midst of utter joy and extreme radio booth chaos. pic.twitter.com/7vXSv3Bpvx
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) May 26, 2019
Rod Bramblett was given the toughest assignment possible. He had to replace a legend we loved. He did it, & made the job his own. He called us through a national championship in football, a final four in basketball, and the greatest play in college football history. God bless him
— Amos Moses⭐️ (@JamesJones_55) May 26, 2019
Powerful image in response to Auburn losing their voice and Alabama losing their quarterback less than 24 hour apart. Rest in peace, Rod Bramblett and Bart Starr.
— alex (@imalexgiles) May 26, 2019
(image c/o Johnny Sharp/Facebook) pic.twitter.com/q6FiHM1Urt
Rest in peace, Rod Bramblett. https://t.co/Zhb7j87Jro
— AL.com sports (@aldotcomSports) May 26, 2019
A voice that truly cannot be replaced. Here are a few of his personal favorite calls from over the years: https://t.co/v3kM0yWlgv pic.twitter.com/O9STCxLHBr