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Veteran sports broadcaster Fred Hickman has died, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 66.
Hickman's wife, Sheila, told THR that the longtime broadcaster died on Wednesday (November 9) in a hospital in Kissimmee, Florida after he was diagnosed with cancer in February.
Hickman had a notable stint co-anchoring "Sports Tonight" with Nick Charles on CNN, beginning in 1980.
The Springfield, Illinois, native was also the first on-air personality to appear on the Yankee Entertainment and Sports Network (YES) when the station launched in March 2002.
“Fred was a joy to work with and a joyful person,” said Michael Kay, a New York Yankees announcer. “A total pro that you felt comfortable with knowing he would lead you the right way on the air. He was the first voice ever heard on YES and his professionalism put us on the right track, a track we are on all these years later.”
Hickman also worked for TBS, where he hosted the first edition of "Inside the NBA."
The sports broadcaster also had stints at ESPN and Fox Sports South. He recently was an anchor and managing editor at Black News Channel.
Hickman is survived by his wife and children, Mack and Gabrielle.
Rest in peace, Fred Hickman.
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