Well Known Detroit Sportscaster Don Shane Has Died at 70

Don Shane had an easygoing personality and a commanding on-air presence. The legendary Detroit TV sportscaster has passed away at the age of 70.

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Who is Don Shane?

Shane spent nearly a quarter of a century covering local and national sports for Detroit TV station WXYZ-TV. He did two stints at Channel 7, beginning in 1989. According to the TV station, "no one had more fun on the air or covering our local teams." Don was said to have loved his work, "and that joy came right through the screen into your homes."

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The station noted that Shane supported many worthy causes and mentored numerous students through their work as interns in the sports department.

Don Shane Remembered by Colleagues

Robbie Timmons is a former anchor with Detroit's WXYZ-TV. In the video below, she speaks with WXYZ's Carolyn Clifford about Shane's legacy.

"He was so knowledgeable about sports," Timmons said. "But he also had such a great sense of humor and he was just a joy to be around."

Jim Brandstatter was the voice of the Detroit Lions and is Timmons' husband. He praised Shane for doing things other reporters couldn't do in order to cover the story.

"I love the fact that he got his hands dirty," he said. "He took Detroiters into the locker room with the Pistons when they won a championship, with the Red Wings when they won the Stanley Cup, with Michigan and Michigan State. He was there bringing Detroit sports fans with him and in my opinion, managed to get the true emotion of the players and relate that to the fans at home."

Shane retired in 2012, moved to Arizona, and later moved to be near family in California. He welcomed his first grandchild last year, nine months before his death.