Dan Hicks cause of death: What we know about the NBC Sports Commentator’s sudden passing at 64

Dan Hicks, the voice of so many of America's big sports moments, has died at 64. It came as a surprise to everyone in the business and to the viewers who had known his work for so long. His wife, ESPN's Hannah Storm, confirmed the news on Thursday, stating that Hicks had died as a result of an acute illness. The family have not released any further information regarding his condition. The information is taken from Marca and the New York Post.

The veteran NBC Sports commentator died Wednesday in Connecticut. He had been scheduled to cover Saturday's Notre Dame-Boston College football game.

What was Dan Hicks' cause of death?

Hannah Storm confirmed that Dan Hicks died as a result of an acute illness, though she didn't specify what that illness was.

Our family are absolutely devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of Dan following an acute illness.

“He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father of our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.”

Storm and Hicks married in 1994 and had three daughters (Hannah, Ellery and Riley). In her tribute she also spoke of his warm personality and the way he made you feel at home.

“Dan was absolutely one of a kind and in truth the person you wanted to be around,” she said.

“When he walked into a room he had the energy, the laughter and he would get the people together. He was absolutely kind, thoughtful and funny and he made you feel like you mattered.”

A broadcasting career spanning more than four decades

Hicks started out in TV in Tucson, Arizona in 1984. He joined CNN in 1989 and then went to NBC Sports in 1992 where he remained for the next 34 years. He was NBC's lead golf announcer from 2000. One of his more famous calls was at the 2008 US Open when Tiger made that incredible putt and Hicks exhaled, "Expect anything different?”

His work also covered 15 Olympic Games. He called all 28 of Michael Phelps' Olympic medals between 2004 and 2016, including the eight golds in Beijing.

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NBC Sports paid tribute to the commentator, saying “Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person" and highlighted his storytelling ability and the way he could bring major sporting events to life.

Hicks also did NFL and NBA games, Notre Dame football and the French Open. His sudden passing is the loss of a voice that was very much a part of the lives of so many sports fans over the years.