The Kansas City Chiefs are mourning the loss of a longtime host and executive producer for its Chiefs Radio Network.
The death of Dan Israel, who’d worked every Chiefs game since 1990, was announced by his family on Thursday. The 60-year-old Israel had endured colon cancer for the past decade. In February, Israel told KCTV-TV that the cancer had spread to his lungs.
“We’re heartbroken over the passing of Dan Israel — an NFL broadcasting legend & Hall of Fame producer. More importantly, a friend and a colleague,” says a Facebook post from Audacy’s “96.5 The Fan” KFNZ Kansas City, the NFL team’s flagship station. “His impact on the Chiefs Radio Network is synonymous with the Chiefs Kingdom. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Despite his illness, Israel was able to attend Super Bowl LIX in February.
“I was heartbroken to hear about the loss of Dan Israel,” Chiefs Coach Andy Reid said in a prepared statement. “Over the last several years, I watched Dan battle this disease with strength and a positive attitude. Dan was the first person I would interview with after games. No matter how he was feeling, he always put that aside to get that interview in with a positive spin for our fans. He was a huge part of the Chiefs Radio Network and the Chiefs football team. I loved Dan Israel, and he will be missed by the Chiefs organization but never forgotten.”