Young Reporter Dies Suddenly While Covering Super Bowl – The Shocking Details

A sports journalist was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl LIV for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports.

KGKC Telemundo Kansas City announced the passing of their sports anchor, Adan Manzano (Aguilar). The 27-year-old died on Wednesday, February 6. He was known as a talented reporter who showed great skill in his work.

A statement from the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s office on Thursday, February 7, said Manzano passed away at a hotel in Kenner. They added, “There were no clear signs of injury on his body.”

After the autopsy, his cause of death is still unknown as more tests need to be done.

KGKC Telemundo Kansas City confirmed that Manzano was in New Orleans covering the Super Bowl LIV for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports. The station added, “We are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate this tragic event.”

They also spoke highly of him, saying, “Adan was a dedicated journalist and a rising star. He showed excellence in his work. We will miss him deeply, along with his passion for sports and his contributions to the local community.”

The media station sent condolences to Manzano’s family, friends, and loved ones. His colleagues described him as kind and helpful, and his friends saw him as loyal and caring.

Manzano was well-known for his sideline reporting on the Kansas City Chiefs’ Spanish-language broadcasts. He was also the play-by-play announcer for the KC Current. “We will miss him greatly in our TICO Family, but his memory will live on in our hearts,” Telemundo Kansas City said in a heartfelt message.

The Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Quinton Lucas, also paid tribute, saying, “Adan was so young and full of energy. He covered almost every event in the community. It’s heartbreaking to hear this news. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers.”

Steve Downing, the general manager of KGKC, also shared his thoughts. He said Manzano was excited about covering a historic event like the Super Bowl and the possibility of a threepeat. He described him as a rising talent with a bright future.

Manzano had a deep love for sports and his community, and he covered them both with dedication. His commitment was clear, as he was the only journalist from Telemundo Kansas City reporting from New Orleans.

Super Bowl LIV marked his third straight season covering the big game for Telemundo KC. Now, Downing says they will continue broadcasting with support from their media partner, TICO Sports.

“He would want us to keep going, to bring all the excitement of the Super Bowl to Kansas City,” said Downing. A LinkedIn profile that seems to belong to Manzano shows he worked as a freelance sports anchor at KBKC since 2021.

Manzano was passionate about making sports accessible to different communities. He loved covering the Kansas City Current and celebrated their growing popularity in Mexico.

“Bringing sports to the Spanish-speaking community is important. Hispanic and Latino fans have always supported soccer, but there is also room for football to become a favorite sport. That’s why my work matters,” he said.

Manzano believed Spanish-speaking audiences connected more deeply with the game when they could hear it in their own language. He said the way the game was called—with unique phrasing, rhythm, and excitement—made the experience even better for fans.

His impact went beyond Kansas City, as people from Spain and Brazil also tuned in and enjoyed his broadcasts.

In 2023, Manzano worked as a Super Bowl broadcaster in the booth. But in 2024, he was promoted to a sideline reporter. “I used to dream about this, but I never thought it would happen so soon. It’s truly a blessing,” he said.

He was looking forward to covering the Super Bowl again in 2025. His last Instagram post was about the upcoming big game.

He wrote, “‘Opening Night’ officially kicks off Super Bowl LIX week! 🌟 The teams, the excitement, and all the stories around this huge event where the Chiefs chase a third straight championship start now. Don’t miss any updates from Telemundo Kansas City! 🔥🏆”

Outside of his career, Manzano was a devoted father to his young daughter, Eleanor. Sadly, she has now lost both parents. Her mother, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd Manzano-Aguilar, died on April 11, 2024, at just 24 years old.

She was in a multi-vehicle crash southwest of Topeka. An infant passenger in her car and the other driver were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

Boyd was a second-grade teacher at Lowman Hill Elementary School, where she was loved by students, parents, and staff. She was also a member of the Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) and an active volunteer.

Manzano’s Instagram bio includes a message for his late wife: “Always in my heart @ashleighboyd37 ❤️🕊.” Boyd was incredibly proud of her husband’s career growth, especially when he moved from the broadcast booth to a sideline reporter in 2024.

“He has worked so hard for this. There were times when he had to juggle two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Now, knowing he gets to do what he loves and what he’s great at—it’s the best feeling ever,” she once shared.

At home, Boyd and Eleanor would race to see who could spot Manzano first on TV while he covered the game live.

Manzano adored his baby girl, who was only 15 months old when her mother passed away. Even when he was away on assignments, he always found ways to include her in his life.

When he attended his first media event with the Kansas City Current, he shared a collage of photos. One picture showed him wearing a jersey with Eleanor’s name on the back. He captioned the post, “There is this girl who stole my heart, and something tells me I’m going to love her forever 🎀.”

It is heartbreaking that a young girl has now lost both of her parents. The sports community that knew Manzano is mourning his loss, while also celebrating his hard work, passion, and dedication to his profession.