Longtime beloved ESPN employee dies suddenly at 52 as tributes pour in for Kansas City Chiefs superfan

A LONGTIME beloved ESPN employee has died suddenly at the age of 52 leaving many truly heartbroken.

The popular ESPN producer had just undergone ankle surgery the day before his death.

NINTCHDBPICT001117707595 — Longtime beloved ESPN producer Stosh Cienki has passed away aged just 52

NINTCHDBPICT001117707515 — He is survived by his wife Kelly Ann and his five children

Barely 24 hours later after his surgery update on Facebook, however, longtime ESPN Radio icon Stosh Cienki sadly passed away.

His Facebook post the day before explained that x-rays on his ankle had shown no signs of infection.

According to Barret Media’s sources, Cienki experienced a pulmonary embolism which resulted in his death.

Cienki spent more than two decades pulling the strings from behind-the-scenes in Bristol for ESPN radio.

The Missouri native was well-known by many to be a Kansas City Chiefs and Royals superfan.

He lived in Cheshire, Connecticut, with his wife, Kelly Ann, and they had five children together.

Tributes have poured in for Cienki following his passing from across the ESPN Radio world and beyond.

“After several producers we had finally found our guy in Stosh — supportive, kind, hard working, full of great ideas and as steady and dependable as they come,” ESPN’s Sarah Spain wrote.

NINTCHDBPICT001117707594 — Cienki was a Kansas City Royals and Chiefs superfan outside of his job commitments

“I won’t share the texts we’ve exchanged in the years since, but I’ll say that he never stopped being that steady, supportive and kind voice well after we stopped working together.

“Stosh was a gem, and I’m so heartbroken for his family and everyone who loved him. RIP friend.”

Longtime ESPN Radio host Freddie Coleman was left stunned by his passing, as he expressed in his heartfelt tribute too.

“I am STUNNED beyond words that I won’t ever see my birthday twin Stosh Cienki again after his passing last night,” he wrote.

“This will be the toughest day at ESPN Radio in my 22+ years because I am completely heartbroken. Stosh and I vibed the first second we met and the vibe/bond became stronger and stronger!

“I will miss his hugs, his smile, his kindness, his laugh…EVERYTHING! I need to stop now because I am about to break down again. Love You Stosh.”

Super Bowl champion wide receiver with the Baltimore Ravens Qadry Ismail also added, “We just spoke a few times in the last month!

“I’m stunned. You were such a good man and friend! I’m deeply saddened for your family’s loss! Love you and will miss our talks.”