AUBURN, Ala. - Rod Bramblett, a longtime radio announcer for Auburn University athletics, and his wife died Saturday night after being involved in a two-vehicle accident. He was 53 and she was 52.
Rod Bramblett died at UAB Hospital in Birmingham from a head injury, Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said Sunday. Paula Bramblett, who worked in Auburn's information technology department, died in the emergency room at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika from internal injuries.
The Brambletts are survived by two children - daughter Shelby, an Auburn student, and son Joshua.
"All of us in the Auburn family are devastated by the tragic passing of Rod and Paula Bramblett," athletic director Allen Greene said in a university release in which he noted Bramblett's "fervent" love for Auburn.
"You could hear it coming through the radio loud and clear each time he exclaimed 'Touchdown Auburn!'" Greene said.
The 16-year-old driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, authorities said. The driver's name was not released. Harris said alcohol was not a factor in the wreck, which was still under investigation.
Bramblett, a 1988 Auburn graduate, had been the Tigers' play-by-play announcer for football and men's basketball since 2003. He had announced Auburn baseball games since 1993.
"I'm heartbroken by the loss of Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula," football coach Gus Malzahn said. "Rod was a true professional and was always a pleasure to work with. He loved Auburn and it showed in his work. As much as he loved Auburn, his family came first and foremost."
Bramblett was named the state of Alabama's sportscaster of the year three times. His most famous call came on the "Kick Six" play in the 2013 Iron Bowl against rival Alabama. Auburn won 34-28 after the Crimson Tide missed a 57-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of regulation and the Tigers' Chris Davis returned the ball 109 yards for a touchdown as time expired.
"There goes Davis! Davis is going to run it all the way back! Auburn's going to win the football game!" Bramblett shouted. " They're not going to keep them off the field tonight!"
The Tigers went on to win the Southeastern Conference championship game and advance to the final national championship game of the BCS era.
This past season, Bramblett provided the calls as Auburn won the SEC tournament title and made its first run to the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
"It won't be the same without Rod," basketball coach Bruce Pearl said. "Ninety minutes before the game and 20 minutes after it, we spent time talking Auburn basketball. He loved Auburn, the student-athletes and the coaches and it showed every time he called a game. As good as he was at what he did, he was a better man. He was kind, considerate and selfless among so many other great qualities."