Pair of Press Box Seats at College Football Playoff Reserved in Honor of Carley McCord and Edward Aschoff
Monday night, a Trevor Lawrence-led Clemson team and the top-ranked LSU Tigers, led by potential No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, will face off with a title on the line. It's the assignment any aspiring college football reporter would dream of.
And two of the sport's great up-and-comers, felled too soon, will be there in spirit, thanks to a kind gesture.
The NCAA has reserved two box seats in the SuperDome for Monday night's game in the memory of two popular journalists who passed away in recent weeks.
Two seats in the Superdome press box tonight have been reserved in memory of Carley McCord and Edward Aschoff.
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) January 13, 2020
Aschoff, 34, died on Dec. 24 after a bout with pneumonia. McCord, 30, died on Dec. 28 in a plane accident.
Both were widely respected and adored sports journalists. pic.twitter.com/FaMW3572zx
Carley McCord, 30, was on her way to watch LSU vs. Oklahoma College Football Playoff game when her plane crashed. Steve Ensminger, the offensive coordinator for the Tigers, is her father in law. She was a media member and in-game host for the hometown Pelicans and Saints.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas tweeted this out shortly after the news broke:
So sad to hear the news about Carley McCord she was always very excited and happy. The worst part is I saw her reporting yesterday as I was leaving home in the parking lot. Really sad, life is so short ? really wish I could do something ??.
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) December 28, 2019
Aschoff passed away on Christmas Eve, his 34th birthday, from pneumonia. He was a college football analyst for ESPN, and had just reported on Michigan vs Ohio State on November 30th, catching pneumonia in the aftermath.
A box of flower lapel pins have since been added to Edward Aschoff’s memorial — the late ESPN reporter was fond of them and his colleagues have been seen wearing them since he passed on his 34th birthday last month: pic.twitter.com/lieuibBCS2
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 13, 2020
While this night will be filled with excitement for plenty of journalists, it is important to remember those who have passed prematurely, and in that regard, the NCAA has won tonight's game with their dedication of the seats for McCord and Aschoff, who deserve to be there, after all.