Don Shane, the former sportscaster of WXYZ-TV Channel 7, passed away on February 24, 2023, at the age of 70. He was a household name in Detroit for his extensive coverage of major sports events and his popular segments like ‘Dare Don’. He retired in 2012 after a 23-year career and moved to California with his family. His death came as a shock to his fans and colleagues, who paid tribute to him on social media and on air. But what was Don Shane’s illness that led to his death? Here is what we know so far.
Don Shane’s Illness Was Not Revealed By His Family
According to MSN, Don Shane’s family did not disclose the cause of his death when they announced it on February 24. His wife, Mona Shane, appeared on WXYZ-TV on February 26, along with another veteran anchor Diana Lewis, to honor his life and work. She did not mention anything about Don Shane’s illness or how he died. She only said that he was surrounded by his wife and two children, Lindsay and Justin, at his California home when he passed away. He also had a grandson who was born in May 2022.
Don Shane Was Rumored To Have Parkinson’s Disease And Dementia
Although there is no official confirmation about Don Shane’s illness, some sources claimed that he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and dementia at the time of his retirement in 2012. One of the sources stated that Shane had Parkinson’s disease and was in the early stage of dementia when he left the channel. However, these claims have not been verified by any reputable sources or by Shane’s family.
Don Shane Had A Scary Encounter With A Former Lions Player
One of the most memorable incidents in Don Shane’s career was when he had a scary encounter with a former Lions player, Chris Spielman, in 1991. Shane was doing a segment called ‘Dare Don’, where he would take on challenges from viewers and athletes. Spielman dared him to tackle him on the field, and Shane accepted the challenge. However, things went wrong when Spielman hit him hard and broke three of his ribs. Shane was taken to the hospital and had to stay there for two days. He later joked that he was lucky to be alive.
Don Shane Was A Hall Of Famer And A Beloved Figure In Detroit Sports
Despite the hardships and challenges he faced in his career, Don Shane was a hall of famer and a beloved figure in Detroit sports. He joined WXYZ-TV in 1989 and became the voice of Detroit sports for more than two decades. He covered all the major sports events, including the Stanley Cup, the NBA finals, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics. He also interviewed many famous athletes and celebrities, such as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Oprah Winfrey. He won several awards for his journalism, including an Emmy and a Michigan Association of Broadcasters award. He was also inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Don Shane was more than just a sportscaster. He was a storyteller, a mentor, a friend, and a family man. He touched many lives with his passion, humor, and kindness. His death is a huge loss for the Detroit sports community and for everyone who knew him. He will be remembered as a legend and an inspiration. Rest in peace, Don Shane.
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