Sports reporter Wes Rucker, who covered Tennessee athletics, dies at 43
wes rucker, a longtime sports reporter who covered University of Tennessee athletics, died in a car crash in Knoxville on Feb. 19. He was 43.
Wes Rucker's career and coverage
Rucker had covered the Vols since 2000, beginning his reporting on the student newspaper while at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. As a student he also wrote for local newspapers and later covered Chattanooga athletics before transitioning to the Vols beat in 2007. He served as a senior writer for a digital college-sports outlet and hosted radio shows and podcasts focused on the Vols and college sports. In 2025 he took a job at a local television station, where he continued covering his alma mater.
Fatal crash on I-40 West
Police say Rucker was the only fatality in a multivehicle crash on Interstate 40 West near Cedar Bluff. The crash began when a driver rear-ended a stopped vehicle, triggering a chain reaction that ended with a large pickup truck running over one of the cars involved. Rucker was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement is investigating the collision; the agency provided details on Feb. 20 and said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Family, health and response
Rucker was a husband and father. On Dec. 31 he announced that he and his wife, Lauren, were expecting their second child, a baby girl due in May, telling his 140, 000 social media followers in his typical funny fashion: "Rucker Baby No. 2 is due in May. Hank is gonna have a baby sister. And he insists her name will be Optimus Prime Night Ninja Rucker. "
His career was marked by recovery from a serious health episode in 2015: at age 32 he suffered a stroke, had to relearn to walk and worked to overcome partial paralysis and migraine headaches. He slowly recovered while continuing to write and share his journey.
Tributes and condolences poured in from colleagues, fans and those in Tennessee athletics. The station where he most recently worked noted deep sadness at his loss and extended condolences to his family. At a media availability on Feb. 20, Tennessee men's basketball coach Rick Barnes called the news "heartbreaking, " offering prayers for Lauren, their son Hank and the child on the way and calling Rucker "a wonderful person, wonderful guy. "
Fans and colleagues remembered wes rucker for his wit, his reporting and his openness about personal challenges. Police investigations are ongoing; it is unclear at this time whether additional details or charges will be announced as that work continues.
