
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 3, 1991                   TAG: 9102030187
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ESPN'S AXTHELM DIES OF LIVER FAILURE

Pete Axthelm, a commentator on ESPN's National Football League coverage and a newspaper and broadcast reporter on football and horse racing, died at a Pittsburgh hospital of liver failure. He was 47.

Axthelm entered Presbyterian-University Hospital on Jan. 27 and was in the hospital's intensive-care unit awaiting a liver transplant, hospital spokesman Frank Raczkiewicz said.

"We will miss his insightful commentary, incisive reporting and unique literary flavor," ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said. "We will especially miss his warm friendship."

Axthelm, who joined ESPN in 1987, provided commentary and picks on NFL games on the network's "NFL GameDay" and "NFL PrimeTime." He also covered horse racing.

He was part of NBC's NFL coverage team from 1980 until 1985.

by CNB