One day after it was announced that his wife had been killed in a car crash in Connecticut, ESPN’s Chris Berman released a heartfelt statement of thanks for the outpouring of support he and has family have received.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and sympathy from so many folks we know, and so many others we look forward to knowing. Kathy Berman had a huge heart, and this would have warmed hers beyond belief,” the legendary sportscaster and NFL host said in a statement released by ESPN.
“It certainly warmed ours. All of us need to keep the family of Edward Bertulis in our thoughts and prayers as well.” The message was signed “with the deepest of gratitude, Meredith, Doug and Chris Berman.”
Katherine Berman, 67, died Tuesday in a double-fatality car accident, according to Connecticut state police. Edward Bertulis, 87, was also killed in the crash. State Troopers are investigating the possibility that Bertulis suffered a medical emergency just before Berman’s car collided with the back of his car, according to the Hartford Courant.
On Wednesday, ESPN President John Skipper issued the following statement on behalf of the network where Berman has worked since 1979.
“This is a devastating tragedy and difficult to comprehend. Chris is beloved by all his ESPN colleagues and for good reason: he has a huge heart and has given so much to so many over the years,” Skipper said. “We know how much his family means to him and all we can do at a moment like this is give him the love and support he will surely need at this hour. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris, Meredith, Doug and the entire family.”
The Courant provided the following additional details on the accident, which came from the state police.
The 2003 Lexus SC 430 driven by Berman and 2003 Ford Escape X driven by Bertulis were headed east on Sherman Hill Road, about a mile and a half from the Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Connecticut, at the time of the crash.
The Lexus — owned by Chris Berman — rear-ended Bertulis’ Ford and continued traveling east, veering off the road to the right.
It then went down an embankment and overturned in a small body of water. The Ford also went off the road, striking a utility pole and landing in the middle of the road on its roof.
A police report obtained by TheWrap states that Katherine Berman was wearing a seatbelt at the time and her airbag deployed. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Chris and Katherine Berman began dating in the early ’80s after he faked car trouble for the opportunity to ask her out, The Courant’s Michael Arace wrote in 1993.
They were married in 1983, when Katherine was a fourth-grade teacher in Waterbury, Connecticut, according to their wedding announcement in the New York Times.
When news broke of her death, social media was filled with messages of sympathy for the family from sporting greats.
The Buffalo Bills are circling the wagons more than ever for Chris Berman and his family today.https://t.co/aa7nkbiVNi pic.twitter.com/jbuzVmwmWd
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 10, 2017
Deanna and I want to express our heartfelt condolences to Chris Berman and his family on Kathy's passing. Prayers and blessings.
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) May 11, 2017
Prayers up for Chris Berman and his family. May your wife RIP🙏🏾 https://t.co/6Ly2XY5iwH
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 11, 2017
Sending heart-felt condolences to Chris Berman for the tragic passing of his wife. Words cannot describe the depth of sadness.
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) May 11, 2017
Please pray for Chris Berman and his family in this very difficult time.
— Ron Jaworski (@JawsCEOQB) May 10, 2017
Chargers' Dean Spanos on passing of Chris Berman's wife, Kathy. pic.twitter.com/2sPTkNkLdS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 10, 2017
Our hearts are heavy and we send our deepest condolences to Chris Berman and his family. pic.twitter.com/RsuqezWxXV
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 10, 2017
So sad to hear of the death of Chris Berman's wife Kathy in an auto accident in Connecticut. Terrible news. Sympathy to the Berman family.
— Peter King (@peter_king) May 10, 2017