Beloved ESPN'er Tragically Dies At 59

During an emotional moment on Monday Night Football, Troy Aikman was moved to tears as he and Joe Buck paid tribute to their late friend and colleague, David Moulton.

The Cowboys-Eagles matchup on Monday Night Football had plenty of attention on the field, but ESPN made sure the fourth quarter included a moment for David Moulton, the longtime sports radio personality and Monday Night Football spotter who died over the weekend after a six-year battle with stage four renal cell cancer. He was 59.

Troy Aikman and Joe Buck took part in the tribute, and Aikman was visibly emotional as the broadcast remembered a man both announcers had known for years. The moment hit hard because Moulton was more than a voice behind the scenes to them - he was a colleague and friend they had worked with on FOX NFL coverage on Thursdays and Sundays before their time together on ESPN.

After Moulton’s death became public, Aikman posted his own tribute on Instagram and called him his "right -hand man," writing:

“Since 2018, David Moulton has been my right-hand man in the broadcast booth,” Aikman wrote on Instagram. “What started as a professional relationship became a friendship I have cherished.

David was loyal, dependable and a warrior until the very end. He deserved better.

"My heart breaks for his family and all who loved him. I’m grateful for the years we shared and will miss him deeply. Rest in peace, big guy.”

Moulton’s wife, Julie, confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday. She said he died while in hospice care at the Douglas Center for Caring and noted that he had been fighting stage four renal cell cancer for six years. She also said it had metastasized to his bones two years ago and described how he kept pushing through treatments.

“It is with a completely shattered heart broken into a million pieces I share that my loving husband, David, died last night while in hospice care at the Douglas Center for Caring,” she wrote, according to the Fort Myers News-Press. “David battled stage four renal cell cancer for six long years.

It metastasized to his bones two years ago. He never stopped fighting or trying new treatments.

He loved life and loved each and every one of you more than words can express. We are so thankful for the love and support you all have given us.

“My sweet husband you are finally free of pain and with all our heavenly angels. Thank you for blessing us with the gift of you and for sharing your beautiful life with all of us.

Cherish every second and he did. Love you.”

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