Rod Bramblett, Voice Of The Auburn Tigers, Dies In Car Wreck

AUBURN, AL - The Auburn University family is in mourning as news broke Saturday night that longtime broadcaster for Auburn sports Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, died in a car accident in Auburn Saturday. The accident occurred on Shug Jordan Parkway at the intersection of West Samford Avenue shortly after 6 p.m., police said.

The Bramblett's Highlander was struck by a 16-year-old's Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to a report by The Plainsman.

"Paula Bramblett died at 7:50 PM in the emergency room of East Alabama Medical Center from multiple internal injuries and Rod Bramblett, known as the 'Voice of the Auburn Tigers,' died at UAB Hospital in Birmingham from a severe closed head injury," said a statement by the Lee COunty Coroner's Office.

The driver of the other vehicle was taken by ambulance to EAMC emergency room with non-life-threatening injuries, according to reports. The statement released by the coroner's office said alcohol was not a factor in the accident. The accident remains under investigation by the Lee County Coroner's Office and Auburn Police Division.

Bramblett, 52, began his broadcasting career in Lanett, Ala., working part-time at WZZZ/WCJM radio stations while attending Auburn University. From there he went on to work in Auburn at WAUD from 1989-1991 and then again from 1993-1996. It was at that time he did play-by-play for Lee-Scott Academy and Auburn High School athletics.

In the one-year away from WAUD he worked in Morristown, Tenn., for two different radio stations where he served as the play-by-play voice of Morristown West High School football. Bramblett is a three-time winner (2006, 2010, 2013) of the Alabama State Broadcaster of the Year as presented by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He was also named National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013.

The Brambetts have two children, daughter Shelby and son Joshua.