Auburn Tigers Radio Voice Rod Bramblett And Wife Paula Die In SUV Crash

Rod Bramblett

ROD BRAMBLETT, the radio broadcaster for AUBURN UNIVERSITY football and men's basketball, and his wife PAULA were killed in a two-vehicle crash SATURDAY night in AUBURN, AL. The TOYOTA Highlander SUV driven by the BRAMBLETTs was rear-ended by another SUV driven by a 16-year-old who sustained non-life-threatening injuries; ROD BRAMBLETT, 53, and PAULA BRAMBLETT, 52, died after being taken to area hospitals.

ROD BRAMBLETT, AUBURN SPORTS PROPERTIES' Dir./Broadcast Operations, called AUBURN TIGERS games for almost 30 years, most memorably his call of the 2013 IRON BOWL football game which ended with AUBURN's CHRIS DAVIS' "Kick Six" kick runback for a game-winning touchdown. He started at AUBURN as baseball announcer for 11 seasons, then replaced the late JIM FYFFE as lead football and men's basketball announcer in 2003. More recently, he was the voice of AUBURN's men's basketball team's first time in the NCAA Final Four this season. PAULA BRAMBLETT was a longtime employee of the university in the IT department.

"All of us in the AUBURN Family are devastated by the tragic passing of ROD and PAULA BRAMBLETT," said AUBURN Director of Athletics ALLEN GREENE. "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!'... As much as ROD loved AUBURN and enjoyed working with his broadcast partners, his greatest affection and devotion were BRAMBLETT children and ROD and PAULA's extended family and friends are in our prayers as we mourn the loss of this uniquely special AUBURN man."

TIGERS football Head Coach GUS MALZAHN said, "I'm heartbroken by the loss of ROD BRAMBLETT and his wife PAULA. ROD was a true professional and was always a pleasure to work with. He loved AUBURN and it showed in his work. As much as he loved AUBURN, his family came first and foremost. 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."

Men's basketball Head Coach BRUCE PEARL said, "It won't be the same without ROD. Ninety minutes before the game and 20 minutes after it, we spent time talking AUBURN basketball. He loved AUBURN, the student-athletes and the coaches and it showed every time he called a game. As good as he was at what he did, he was a better man. He was kind, considerate and selfless among so many other great qualities. Selfishly, I'll miss my friend and his wife PAULA. I just pray for their family."

And baseball Head Coach BUTCH THOMPSON said, "I was proud to call ROD and PAULA friends. What I think of most... ROD was often proud to say he was from VALLEY, ALABAMA. He often spoke with pride about his loving wife and amazing children. He and ANDY (BURCHAM) took pride in knowing the best places to eat around the SEC and always had an 'open invitation' for the coach. I cannot imagine a man more proud to be the Voice of the AUBURN TIGERS. Finally, what I BELIEVE the most... Let peace reside with us today knowing that his next broadcast will be in heaven. Eternal rest ROD and PAULA BRAMBLETT and thank you for 27 years of telling the story of AUBURN Baseball."

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