Longtime WGNO Sports Director Ed Daniels Passes Away After Heart Attack

The sports community in Louisiana is mourning the loss of Ed Daniels, the long-serving WGNO Sports Director, who passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024. Ed, a beloved figure in local sports journalism, died three weeks after suffering a massive heart attack while covering the New Orleans Saints’ training camp in Los Angeles. He was 66 years old.

Daniels was in Los Angeles not only for work but also enjoying some vacation time with his wife, Robin. According to Robin, the heart attack occurred shortly after midnight on July 26. Ed was initially treated in California before being transported back to New Orleans. Saints owner Gayle Benson played a crucial role in facilitating Ed’s return to Louisiana, providing a plane for his transport to Ochsner Medical Center on Jefferson Highway.

Ed Daniels was a fixture at WGNO, having joined the station in 1992 as Sports Director. His contributions extended beyond traditional sports coverage; he was the visionary behind Friday Night Football, a program dedicated to highlighting high school athletes. The success of this show later inspired the creation of Friday Night Fastball, which showcased young baseball talents across the region. Daniels’ dedication to nurturing local sports coverage left an indelible mark on the community.

A native of Louisiana, Ed was deeply rooted in the state’s culture. He graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School in 1975 and went on to earn his degree from Loyola University in 1979. Over the years, his work earned him widespread recognition, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Orleans Press Club and being named Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year twice by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Ed Daniels was more than just a sports director; he was the heart and soul of WGNO’s sports coverage. His commitment to excellence and his passion for storytelling inspired countless young journalists. “Ed’s influence in our newsroom was immense, and his professional standards will continue to guide us,” said a WGNO colleague. “We miss him deeply and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the many viewers who welcomed him into their homes over the years.”

As the community comes to terms with the loss, Ed’s legacy as a sports icon and mentor will live on, both in the stories he told and in the impact he made on Louisiana sports journalism.