CLEVELAND — Matt Loede, a longtime fixture in the Cleveland sports media scene as both a writer and a broadcaster, passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.
He was 46 years old.
The news was shared by his wife Shanna in a post on social media:
"Matt's two plus year battle with cancer has come to an end and today he is with the Lord. This early mornings cardiac arrest led to a lack of oxygen to his brain for approximately 50 minutes that resulted in brain damage, bleeding in his lungs, and kidney shut down. He was surrounded by love as he passed. He was funny, sweet, generous, loyal, faith filled and he had a talent for bringing people together. He made my life beautiful. He was and will always be the love of my life. Please keep his parents, brothers, and our families and friends in your prayers."
In May of 2019, Loede was diagnosed with stage four stomach, kidney and pancreatic cancer. After a lengthy hospital stay, four rounds of chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant, his cancer was in remission. In August of 2020, he announced that the cancer had returned to the point where his lymphoma had spread.
Through it all, he continued to work.
Loede's journalism career of more than 25 years included everything from radio work at WEOL-AM 930 in Elyria, to instructing at the Ohio Media School, to reporting at local sporting events for outlets such as the Associated Press Broadcasting, NBC Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, Sporting News Radio, and more.
He also wrote three books during his career. Game of My Life: Cleveland Browns: Memorable Stories of Browns Football was published in 2016. He also wrote two books about his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013's 100 Things Steelers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and Game of My Life Pittsburgh Steelers: Memorable Stories of Steelers Football, which was published in 2019.
More recently, Loede worked as a sportswriter for Outkick.
Earlier this year, actor and pro wrestling legend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reached out to Loede and shared a special video message with him in the midst of his battle with both cancer and COVID-19.
“Thank you for being a fan, number one,” said Johnson in the video sent to Loede. “But most importantly I want to tell you to stay strong. You are a fighter.”
Truer words were never spoken.
After news of Loede's death was announced, 3News sports anchor Jim Donovan paid tribute on "What Matters Most" at 6 p.m.
Many people in the Cleveland sports scene took to Twitter to share their condolences. The list includes some of the members of the 3News team:
Related Stories: