On Saturday, May 25, iconic Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula were killed in a car accident. While waiting to make a turn onto Shug Jordan Parkway, the 16-year-old driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee rear-ended the Bramblett's Toyota Highlander. Paula Bramblett, 53, was life flighted to East Alabama Medical Center where she died in the emergency room due to multiple internal injuries.
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Rob Bramblett, 52, was taken to UAB Hospital in nearby Birmingham where a closed head injury claimed his life as well. The teenage driver of the other car was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The car crash is still being investigated by Auburn police and the Lee County Coroner's Office.
Rod Bramblett was an Auburn man. My dad is an Auburn man. I grew up in an Auburn house & went to Auburn
This was the sunset we saw last night at my dad’s house. The sky painted orange & blue
Rod painted with words. There’s no doubt I my mind that this was Rod painting in Heaven pic.twitter.com/CT5sxhzs0u
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) May 26, 2019
This tragic loss sent shockwaves throughout the Alabama community. Bramblett, who'd called Auburn baseball games since 1993 and took over as Auburn football's lead play-by-play announcer in 2003, was named Alabama's sportscaster of the year in 2006, 2010 and 2013, according to AL.com. Bramblett also followed the Auburn men's basketball team during their first-ever trip to the 2019 Final Four.
Bramblett's most-famous moment, though, came in 2013 when Auburn beat Alabama as time expired. You'll remember this game as "The Kick-Six" when Bramblett's incredible call became etched in Auburn University history forever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8oH8QcYIm8
"I guess if this thing comes up short, he can field it and run it out. Alright, here we go — 56 yarder. It's got — no it does have the leg, and Chris Davis takes it in the back of the end zone. He'll run it out to the 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 45... THERE GOES DAVIS!
"Davis is going to run it all the way back! Auburn's going to win the football game! Auburn's going to win the football game! He ran the missed field goal back! He ran it back 109 yards! They're not going to keep 'em off the field tonight!
"HOLY COW! OH MY GOD! AUBURN WINS! AUBURN HAS WON THE IRON BOWL!"
For this call, and because his work at the university was unparalleled throughout the year, Rod Bramblett was named Sports Illustrated's National Broadcaster of the Year in 2013.
To honor Rod and Paula, who also worked at Auburn in the university's Information Technology Department, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to raise money for the Bramblett family's two children. Shelby is a student at Auburn, and Joshua currently attends Auburn High School. In the first two days, over 2,000 people submitted donations that have raised over $196,000 for the children.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, who owns a bachelor's degree from Auburn, submitted a donation for $25,000.
The most notable of the donations, however, are the hundreds of people who gave $109 dollars, honoring "The Kick-Six" that Bramblett famously called. What's even better is that donations have come from all over the Southeastern Conference. Multiple anonymous Alabama fans, and even Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, are supporting the loss from one of the SEC's most beloved families.
"The Voice of Auburn" may be gone, but the memories he gave that community will live forever. A public memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 30 at Auburn Arena.
UPDATE: As of July 2, the fundraising campaign rolled over $330,000 worth of donations.
Rod will always be the Voice of the Auburn Tigers.
Please join the Auburn Family in praying for the Bramblett family.https://t.co/TQTSU8UPYI
— Auburn Tigers (@AuburnTigers) May 26, 2019
This was Rod Bramblett. Total radio pro in the midst of utter joy and extreme radio booth chaos. https://t.co/7vXSv3Bpvx
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) May 26, 2019
Rod Bramblett has been a part of our program for the past 27 seasons.
We are devastated by the passing of he and his wife, Paula, and ask for continued prayers for the Bramblett family. 🙏#WarEagle | #Legacy pic.twitter.com/ialYJJhYFl
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) May 26, 2019
During the 5 years I spent at Auburn, Rod Bramblett, Andy Burcham & myself traveled the SEC together, creating fun memories & forging a lasting bond. Last night, Rod & his wife Paula died tragically.
Please keep Rod’s kids & AU in your prayers.
I miss my friend already. pic.twitter.com/MfZvcwH1rj
— Scott Stricklin (@ScottStricklin) May 26, 2019
UPDATE: On July 1, 2019, 16-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Rod and Paula Bramblett. Taylor was taken to Lee County Jail where bond was set at $50,000.
Rod Bramblett wreck warrant: Teen was driving 30 mph over speed limit https://t.co/JxbIeFnFYH pic.twitter.com/AbBjwfyO7e
— AL.com sports (@aldotcomSports) July 2, 2019
According to Auburn police, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Traffic Homicide Unit found that Taylor was speeding when the crash occurred. The Toxicological Analysis Report also confirmed that Taylor had marijuana in his system, according to a news release obtained WBRC News.
Taylor is being charged as an adult in the case.
This article was originally published on May 28, 2019.
