
Adan Manzano, Super Bowl Reporter, Dies at 27 in New Orleans
The sports broadcasting world is mourning the tragic loss of Adan Manzano, a dedicated Super Bowl reporter who passed away at just 27 years old while covering the highly anticipated game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans. His untimely passing is a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be, especially coming just months after losing his wife in a devastating car accident.
Manzano, a respected journalist and beloved father, leaves behind his young daughter, Eleanor, who is now left without both parents in the span of a single year. As tributes pour in, let’s take a moment to celebrate his life, career, and the legacy he leaves behind.
A Passion for Sports and Storytelling
Born in Mexico City, Adan Manzano’s journey to sports journalism was one filled with dedication and an unwavering love for football. In 2018, he moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he attended Kansas State University. It was here that he began carving out his path in the media world, working tirelessly to bring football closer to the Spanish-speaking community.
Manzano believed that Hispanic and Latino fans had long embraced soccer, but there was room for American football to become a major part of their sports culture.
“Because the Hispanic and Latinos – they’ve supported soccer culturally and historically, but there’s always a space where football can be the favorite sport,” he once said in an interview with 27 News.
His passion and dedication led him to a career where he could help bridge that gap. By 2023, he had made it to the broadcast booth, and by 2024, he was standing on the sidelines at the Super Bowl.
“I used to dream about this, but I never expected that it was going to come that soon,” he had reflected. “It’s just a blessing.”
A Career Cut Short
Manzano had been working for Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, covering the Kansas City Chiefs as a sideline reporter since the start of the 2024 season.
His assignment in New Orleans was supposed to be a highlight in his young career, a chance to be part of one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Tragically, it was there that he lost his life, with authorities currently investigating the circumstances of his passing.
The Personal Tragedies He Faced
Manzano’s passing is even more devastating considering what he had already endured in the past year. His wife, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd Manzano-Aguilar, passed away in April 2024 following a car accident in Topeka, Kansas.
Ashleigh was a devoted second-grade teacher at Lowman Hill Elementary School, a woman loved by her students and colleagues alike. The couple shared a beautiful daughter, Eleanor, who was only 15 months old when she lost her mother. Now, just months later, she has lost her father as well.
Losing one parent at such a young age is devastating—but losing both in less than a year is unimaginable. As Manzano’s colleagues, friends, and family come together to mourn his passing, there is also a call to support his daughter and ensure she grows up knowing the love her parents had for her.
Honoring His Legacy
Manzano wasn’t just a rising star in sports journalism; he was a storyteller, a role model, and a beacon of positivity in a field that he worked so hard to be part of.
His net worth at the time of his passing is estimated to have been around $250,000, earned through his work in broadcasting and reporting. But his true wealth came in the impact he made on the people around him.
Colleagues at Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports remembered him as a hard-working professional who had an infectious enthusiasm for the game. In an official statement, his employers shared:
“We are saddened to share that Adan Manzano passed away yesterday in New Orleans, while on assignment to cover the Super Bowl for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports. We are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate this tragic event.”
They also described him as a true professional and rising star, someone deeply missed for his passion for sports and contributions to the community.
Moving Forward
Manzano’s passing leaves a void in the sports broadcasting world, and more importantly, in the hearts of those who loved him. His story is one of resilience, passion, and love for the game, and even though he is gone far too soon, his legacy will continue.
For now, his friends, family, and colleagues will come together to celebrate his life and ensure that his daughter, Eleanor, grows up knowing who her father was and the impact he had.
The tragedy of losing both parents in such a short span of time is heartbreaking, and it serves as a reminder to cherish every moment, to celebrate achievements, and to never take time for granted.
As the sports world mourns the loss of Adan Manzano, we can also honor him by remembering the way he lived—with passion, dedication, and an unbreakable love for the game.
Rest in peace, Adan. Your journey was just beginning, and though it was cut short, your legacy will live on.
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