If you watch ESPN College Football, youll probably know who he was.

Former ESPN Sideline Reporter Karsten Found Dead

College Football Expert Was Set to Begin Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

 

GREEN LAKE, Wis. (Sept. 6) - Adrian Karsten, a former college football sideline reporter for ESPN, was found dead at his home just before he was scheduled to report to federal prison for tax evasion. He was 45.

 

Karsten was expected to report to a facility in Rochester, Minn., this week to serve an 11-month prison sentence followed by probation after pleading guilty to failing to file federal income tax returns.

 

Green Lake County sheriff's deputies found Karsten dead in his home in the town of Brooklyn on Friday.

 

The coroner's office was still investigating the death Tuesday and declined comment, saying the sheriff's department would release more information on Wednesday.

 

Investigators said there was no indication of foul play and "the death does not appear to be suspicious," according to a statement.

 

Karsten pleaded guilty in March to two counts of failing to file federal income tax returns totaling about $363,000 in income from 2000 and 2002.

 

Karsten began his career at ESPN as a production assistant in 1983 and was a reporter from 1991-03, ESPN spokesman Michael Humes said. Humes declined to comment on whether Karsten left voluntarily or was fired.

 

After pleading guilty, Karsten was allowed to "do scouting for the Minnesota Vikings" in April, according to a letter from his lawyer to the judge.

That's sad that he might've chose death over a 11 month prison term.

He did a great job on the sidelines for the Saturday night primetime game that had Ron Franklin and Mike Gottfried broadcasting it.

 

Sad story, regardless of how he died. RIP Adrian.

Damn man, one of my favorite sideline reporters. I really hope it wasn't him taking the easy way out.