Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/AP) - Though Rick Jeanneret’s booming, youthful voice has gone silent, his memory will remain cherished by generations of fans and NHL players who heard him call Buffalo Sabres games over a 51-year career.
Messages of condolence paying tribute to the broadcaster affectionally nicknamed “RJ” and regarded as the voice of the Sabres began pouring in almost immediately after the team announced he had died on Thursday. He was 81.
The Sabres released a statement from Jeanneret’s family saying he died with his family by his side following a two-year battle with multi-organ failure.
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“He will be loved forever,” the statement said.
A memorial to "RJ" continues to grow outside Key Bank Center where the Sabres moved his life-size initials from "RJ Night" to the Alumni Plaza. Fans could be seen dropping off flowers and mementos during the day Friday.
"When I saw online that this was forming, I knew I needed to just stop and pay my respects," Josh Edwards told WBEN. "This man has been a big part of my life."
Joe Everhardt could be seen reaching all the way to the top of the 'RJ' letters, placing a meaningful token as a memorial. "Went and got myself a box of cookies for one of his most iconic calls," he said. "Top shelf."
The magnitude of his legacy and the many people he touched was apparent a day later, with “RIPRJ” trending on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.
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