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Auburn radio voice, wife die following car crash

College Football, Men's College Basketball, NCAA - Other, Auburn Tigers, Auburn Tigers

Rod Bramblett, the radio voice of the Auburn Tigers, and his wife, Paula, died from injuries suffered in a car crash Saturday night in Alabama, the Lee County Coroner's Office confirmed early Sunday morning. 

Paramedics responded to a two-car crash in Auburn shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday. Rod Bramblett was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where he died of a severe closed head injury, the coroner's office said. Paula Bramblett died of multiple internal injuries in the emergency room of East Alabama Medical Center. Rod Bramblett was 52; Paula Bramblett was 53.

The name of the 16-year-old driver of the other vehicle has not been released, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

"Our hearts are full of grief," Auburn president Steven Leath wrote in a tweet. "Janet and I offer our sympathy and support to the family of Rod and Paula Bramblett. The Auburn family loves you!"

Bramblett served as the lead announcer for Auburn football, men's basketball and baseball.

According to the school's athletic website, he had been the voice of the baseball team since 1993, and he took over play-by-play duties for football and basketball in 2003.

"I'm heartbroken by the loss of Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula. Rod was a true professional and was always a pleasure to work with," Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. "He loved Auburn and it showed in his work. As much as he loved Auburn, his family came first and foremost. This is a difficult time and we will continue to pray and offer our support to the Bramblett family, especially their children Shelby and Joshua."

Earlier this month, the Tigers baseball team honored Bramblett and his longtime radio partner, Andy Burcham, for their many years with the team.

"It left me speechless, to be sure," Bramblett said then of the surprise ceremony.

Bramblett was a three-time winner (2006, '10, '13) of the Alabama State Broadcaster of the Year award. He was honored as the National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013, in part for his call on Chris Davis' game-winning 109-yard return of a missed field goal as time expired to beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl. 

Bramblett was an Alabama native.

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