Jimmy Valdez, a popular CBS sports anchor and reporter, died suddenly on Thanksgiving night, leaving behind his wife and two children. His cause of death was cardiac arrest, according to his wife Julie Stewart Valdes. He was 47 years old.
A Beloved Sports Personality
Jimmy Valdez was a well-known and respected figure in the sports media industry. He joined CBS Sports in 2019 as a studio anchor and reporter, covering various sports events such as college football, basketball, golf, and tennis. He also hosted the CBS Sports HQ show, a digital platform that provides live news and analysis on sports topics.
Before joining CBS Sports, Valdez worked for ESPN for 11 years, where he was a host and reporter for SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, NFL Live, and other shows. He also covered major sporting events such as the World Series, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, and the Olympics.
Valdez was born in San Bernardino, California, and graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in broadcast journalism. He started his career as a sports anchor and reporter for local stations in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix.
Valdez was known for his professionalism, passion, and personality. He had a knack for storytelling and engaging with his audience. He was also a mentor and friend to many of his colleagues and peers in the industry.
A Devoted Husband and Father
Jimmy Valdez was married to Julie Stewart Valdes, a former ESPN producer and director. They met while working at ESPN and got married in 2014. They had two children: a son named Jameson and a daughter named Jocelyn.
Valdez was a loving and caring husband and father who cherished his family. He enjoyed spending time with them, playing games, watching movies, and traveling. He was also a devout Christian who shared his faith with his family and friends.
A Shocking and Tragic Loss
Jimmy Valdez’s death came as a shock and a tragedy to his family, friends, fans, and colleagues. According to his wife Julie, Jimmy went into cardiac arrest at about 9 pm Thanksgiving night and after 20 minutes of trying, doctors were unable to revive him.
Julie announced his passing on Saturday, November 26, 2022, on social media. She wrote: “It is with great sadness that I share with you that my husband Jimmy Valdez passed away last night. He was my best friend, my soulmate, my partner in life. He was the most amazing father to our two beautiful children. He loved them more than anything in this world. He was a man of God who lived his life with integrity, kindness, generosity, and compassion. He touched so many lives with his smile, his humor, his wisdom, and his grace. He was a blessing to everyone who knew him. I am heartbroken beyond words. I don’t know how I will go on without him. But I know he is in heaven now with our Lord Jesus Christ. And I know he is watching over us and smiling down on us. I love you Jimmy. You are my everything.”
Many people expressed their condolences and tributes to Jimmy Valdez on social media and other platforms. His colleagues at CBS Sports released a statement saying: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend Jimmy Valdez. Jimmy was a talented and versatile broadcaster who brought energy, enthusiasm, and insight to every show he worked on. He was also a wonderful person who cared deeply about his family, his faith, and his community. He will be greatly missed by all of us at CBS Sports and CBS Sports HQ. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Julie, his children Jameson and Jocelyn, and his entire family during this difficult time.”
Jimmy Valdez’s legacy will live on through his work, his family, and his fans. He will be remembered as one of the best sports anchors and reporters of his generation, as well as a loving husband and father who left this world too soon.
