Jon Burnett, a revered weathercaster who served CBS Pittsburgh’s KDKA-TV for almost four decades, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, at 71 years old. The cause of his death was complications from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), said Dr. Joseph Malone, a Cognitive Neurologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
KDKA-TV confirmed Burnett’s passing in an Instagram post, praising him as an authentic, original, talented, and compassionate individual who left behind an impressive legacy.
Having retired in 2019 after a 37-year broadcasting career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Burnett had been struggling with neurological disorders, including memory loss. He had a suspected diagnosis of CTE, a progressive brain condition associated with repeated head traumas.
Prior to his broadcasting career, Burnett was a defensive end for the University of Tennessee football team, graduating in 1976. Throughout his sporting career, he sustained two significant concussions and numerous head impacts.
In a February 2024 interview with KDKA-TV, Burnett shed light on the physical burden football had inflicted on his brain. “If I can help anybody on this road, who is on this road or will be on this road in the years ahead, I feel better about being able to do that,” he stated during the interview.
Burnett also revealed that he had joined the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh and agreed to donate his brain after his death to contribute to the research and treatment of brain disorders and CTE. He recalled experiencing hundreds of collisions during his football career, typically colliding with other players around 30 to 40 times per game.
CTE, which can be definitely diagnosed only post-mortem, is most often found in athletes engaging in contact sports, military personnel, and victims of physical abuse. Nonetheless, not everyone who suffers repeated concussions develops the condition.
Burnett’s career at KDKA-TV started in 1982 as co-host of “Evening Magazine,” initially with Liz Miles and later with Mary Robb Jackson. His Southern charm instantly won over Pittsburgh viewers. Jackson spoke highly of Burnett, describing him as a natural on-screen presence and a significant person in her life.
Three years after joining “Evening Magazine,” Burnett shifted to host “Pittsburgh 2Day.” By the 1990s, he had moved into meteorology, where he remained a constant presence for almost three decades until his retirement.
Burnett’s “Pittsburgh 2Day” co-anchor, Patrice King Brown, expressed her sorrow to KDKA, stating, “My TV brother. I will love him forever.”
Colleagues remembered Burnett for his spontaneity, emotional openness, and versatility as a broadcaster. Former KDKA meteorologist Dennis Bowman observed, “When you saw Jon on TV, you would immediately say, ‘That’s a guy I wouldn’t mind having in my living room live and in person.'”
Burnett was known for his adventurous spirit on camera. He participated in various activities during broadcasts, including riding roller coasters, skiing, and performing other thrilling feats that captivated viewers across western Pennsylvania.
In recent years, Burnett’s health had significantly worsened. By February 2024, when he disclosed his CTE diagnosis, his short-term memory, voice, and mobility had deteriorated to the point where he needed assistance from his wife, Debbie.
The Burnett family chose to share Jon’s story to help others comprehend CTE and its effects, remove the stigma surrounding brain diseases, and support crucial research at the University of Pittsburgh. Their advocacy helped raise awareness and increase enrollment in the university’s brain research program.
Despite his diagnosis, Burnett maintained that he would still have played football if given the chance to do it all over again. His passion for the game never waned, even as he grappled with its aftereffects.
Born Jonathan Haynes Jr. in Knoxville, Tennessee, Burnett attended Bearden High School before playing football at the University of Tennessee. He started his television career in his home state before relocating to Pittsburgh in 1982, where he quickly became a household name.
Throughout his 37-year career at KDKA, Burnett smoothly transitioned between roles as host, anchor, and weatherman, displaying a remarkable versatility that few broadcasters achieve. His genuine on-screen presence and compassionate nature endeared him to colleagues and viewers alike.
Burnett’s legacy goes beyond his television career. His courage in sharing his CTE diagnosis and participating in brain research may help future generations of athletes avoid similar neurological outcomes.
He is survived by his wife of many years, Debbie, and their adult children, Samantha and Eric.
