Legendary NFL reporter John Clayton passed away at the age of 67, and fans of the NFL were in shock over his passing.NFL reporter Brendan Sugrue tweeted: "I can't believe John Clayton passed away. This one hurts a lot."Brendan Sugrue@BrendanSugrueI can't believe John Clayton passed away. This one hurts a lot.9:45 AM · Mar 18, 2022724I can't believe John Clayton passed away. This one hurts a lot.Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson said: "We will all miss your words and brilliance @JohnClaytonNFL #RIPJohnClayton"Russell Wilson@DangeRussWilsonWe will all miss your words and brilliance @JohnClaytonNFL #RIPJohnClayton10:42 AM · Mar 18, 202213494749We will all miss your words and brilliance @JohnClaytonNFL #RIPJohnClaytonThe Pro Football Hall of Fame tweeted: "Longtime Hall of Fame Selector and NFL writer/insider John Clayton has passed away at the age of 67. His impact and contribution to the game of football will be missed."Pro Football Hall of Fame@ProFootballHOFLongtime Hall of Fame Selector and NFL writer/insider John Clayton has passed away at the age of 67.His impact and contribution to the game of football will be missed.11:03 AM · Mar 18, 20227864861Longtime Hall of Fame Selector and NFL writer/insider John Clayton has passed away at the age of 67.His impact and contribution to the game of football will be missed. https://t.co/kRtnAXWeiFHost of the Fox Sports 1 radio show The Joy Taylor Show, Joy Taylor, said: "John Clayton was the kindest person. This was my first sideline job for the NFL. He found me, gave me advice, gave me some information for the broadcast and, as always, wanted to talk about Braddock, PA. Thank you for everything, John. I am so grateful for your friendship. RIP."Joy Taylor@JoyTaylorTalksJohn Clayton was the kindest person. This was my first sideline job for the NFL. He found me, gave me advice, gave me some information for the broadcast and as always, wanted to talk about Braddock, PA. Thank you for everything John, I am so grateful for your friendship. RIP 10:52 AM · Mar 18, 202214377431John Clayton was the kindest person. This was my first sideline job for the NFL. He found me, gave me advice, gave me some information for the broadcast and as always, wanted to talk about Braddock, PA. Thank you for everything John, I am so grateful for your friendship. RIP ♥️ https://t.co/i28uOSexT0ESPN Insider Chris Mortensen tweeted: "John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle-area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness. We loved John. We are mourning his loss. Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information."Chris Mortensen@mortreportJohn Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.We loved John. We are mourning his loss.Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information.10:09 AM · Mar 18, 2022310612502John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.We loved John. We are mourning his loss.Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information.The Pro Football Writers of America said: "The PFWA mourns the passing of John Clayton. John was the PFWA's 19th president (1999-2000) and the organization's 2007 Bill Nunn Jr. Award recipient. 'The Professor' was a friend to so many in our business. Our condolences to his wife Pat, family, colleagues and his many friends."Pro Football Writers@PFWAwritersThe PFWA mourns the passing of John Clayton. John was the PFWA's 19th president (1999-2000) and the organization's 2007 Bill Nunn Jr. Award recipient. "The Professor" was a friend to so many in our business. Our condolences to his wife Pat, family, colleagues and his many friends10:31 AM · Mar 18, 2022173071215The PFWA mourns the passing of John Clayton. John was the PFWA's 19th president (1999-2000) and the organization's 2007 Bill Nunn Jr. Award recipient. "The Professor" was a friend to so many in our business. Our condolences to his wife Pat, family, colleagues and his many friends https://t.co/66XLBeAXYFReporter Jessamyn McIntyre stated: "The world lost an absolute legend in John Clayton today. RIP and all our thoughts to Pat and his family."Jessamyn McIntyre@JessamynMcIntyrThe world lost an absolute legend in John Clayton today. RIP and all our thoughts to Pat and his family. 10:10 AM · Mar 18, 20223274105The world lost an absolute legend in John Clayton today. RIP and all our thoughts to Pat and his family. 💕 https://t.co/cBlbfG8Ns9ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said: "I did my very first draft for ESPN on #ESPNRadio in 2014 in NYC with John Clayton, Mark Schlereth, and Dari Nowkhah. John could not have been nicer, more professional, more helpful to me. And we had never even met before that event. Says a lot about him. Says everything. #RIP JC"Louis Riddick@LRiddickESPNI did my very first draft for ESPN on #ESPNRadio in 2014 in NYC with John Clayton, Mark Schlereth, and Dari Nowkhah. John could not have been nicer, more professional,more helpful to me. And we had never even met before that event. Says a lot about him. Says everything. #RIP JC10:04 AM · Mar 18, 20222595114I did my very first draft for ESPN on #ESPNRadio in 2014 in NYC with John Clayton, Mark Schlereth, and Dari Nowkhah. John could not have been nicer, more professional,more helpful to me. And we had never even met before that event. Says a lot about him. Says everything. #RIP JCESPN reporter Ed Werder said: "Incredibly saddened by the passing of John Clayton, who was such a great teammate. You might remember his information or the greatest SC commercial ever created starring John. But my enduring image of John was him patiently caring for his wife, Pat. God bless John as he deserves."Ed Werder@WerderEdESPNIncredibly saddened by the passing of John Clayton, who was such a great teammate. You might remember his information or the greatest SC commercial ever created starring John. But my enduring image of John was him patiently caring for his wife, Pat. God bless John as he deserves. twitter.com/mortreport/sta…Chris Mortensen@mortreportJohn Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.We loved John. We are mourning his loss.Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information.10:17 AM · Mar 18, 202275349John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.We loved John. We are mourning his loss.Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information.Incredibly saddened by the passing of John Clayton, who was such a great teammate. You might remember his information or the greatest SC commercial ever created starring John. But my enduring image of John was him patiently caring for his wife, Pat. God bless John as he deserves. twitter.com/mortreport/sta…Writer for The Athletic Mike Sando stated: "RIP John Clayton, hard to believe he’s gone. Rose to become all-time great NFL beat reporter & later an @espn icon, but never forgot his Braddock, PA roots. No one more dogged, more dedicated. Truly one of a kind. Heartbroken for Pat. He loved her so much. ⁦@JohnClaytonNFL"Mike Sando@SandoNFLRIP John Clayton, hard to believe he’s gone. Rose to become all-time great NFL beat reporter & later an @espn icon, but never forgot his Braddock, PA roots. No one more dogged, more dedicated. Truly one of a kind. Heartbroken for Pat. He loved her so much. ⁦@JohnClaytonNFL⁩10:11 AM · Mar 18, 20222597128RIP John Clayton, hard to believe he’s gone. Rose to become all-time great NFL beat reporter & later an @espn icon, but never forgot his Braddock, PA roots. No one more dogged, more dedicated. Truly one of a kind. Heartbroken for Pat. He loved her so much. ⁦@JohnClaytonNFL⁩ https://t.co/i9Fl0GJkwJThe career of NFL reporter John ClaytonLos Angeles Rams v Arizona CardinalsIn 1972, he started his career as a teenager covering the Pittsburgh Steelers in a season that included the "Immaculate Reception," the game when the Steelers faced the Oakland Raiders.He then went to Duquesne University and was hired by the Pittsburgh Press as a senior at Duquesne.Clayton spent over a decade at the Tacoma News Tribune prior to a more than 20-year stint at ESPN. He also wrote for many media outlets, including the Washington Post, in the years subsequent to his long run at ESPN.Clayton had been the sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks radio network for five seasons. He had also been a contributor to stories for KKFN-FM (104.3 FM) in Denver ever since February of 2021.He's survived by his wife Pat, son Gerald, and sister Amy. He'll truly be missed by fans, colleagues, and all that knew him.