Herbstreit learns of Brett James death during TNF broadcast as plane crash claims lives

Kirk Herbstreit said he learned of his close friend and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Brett James's death while he was calling Thursday night's NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, a moment that interrupted the broadcast. The Bills won 31-21, and Herbstreit posted Friday morning that he received a text reporting James had been in a plane crash and did not survive. Herbstreit, a longtime college-football analyst for ESPN who also calls NFL games for Amazon Prime, has described his work as a demanding but rewarding schedule that keeps him traveling across the country. He noted that, living in Nashville, he has met many remarkable people, and James was among the most talented and humble figures he has known.

Officials said three people died in the North Carolina crash on Thursday. Brett James, 57, his girlfriend Melody Wilson, 59, and her daughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28, were aboard a single-engine Cirrus SR22T that departed Nashville before crashing in Franklin, North Carolina. The crash site was identified in initial reports as part of the Franklin area, and authorities said the victims were all onboard the plane when it went down. James was a prolific songwriter whose credits include Carrie Underwood's No. 1 hit and the Grammy-winning Jesus Take the Wheel, as well as Taylor Swift's A Perfectly Good Heart, among other songs. His collaborations extended to major acts such as Bon Jovi, Jason Aldean, and the Backstreet Boys. Herbstreit remembered James as a legend in Nashville, someone who was admired for his talent and his down-to-earth demeanor.

Herbstreit's on-air duties on Thursday night placed him in the prime broadcaster seat for Amazon Prime's NFL game, where he worked alongside Al Michaels. He is also part of ESPN's College GameDay rotation and is slated to join the crew for Saturday's Miami-Florida game from Coral Gables. Ahead of Thursday's broadcast, he had posted a video highlighting the travel he undertakes to balance college football responsibilities with NFL assignments, including time spent with his dog Peter on the road. The message from Herbstreit reflected a broader sense of loss felt in the sports and Nashville communities, where James's work and friendship left a lasting impression.

In reflecting on the news, Herbstreit wrote that James's impact went beyond hit songs; he described him as one of the most respected people in Nashville who could blend immense talent with humility. The broader sports-media community has acknowledged the tragedy while continuing to cover the weekend's slate of games, honoring James's contributions to music and to the people around him. As investigations and official statements continued, friends and colleagues expressed condolences to James's family and to those who knew him through his artistry and his work in the local Nashville scene.