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Reno lost one of their own today.  KTVN Sports Director JK Metzker has died after being hit by a car last night.  JK was a fierce competitor, but more importantly, a loyal and great friend.

JK was one of the first people I met when I began working at KOLO back in 2001.  Many times, especially in this business, competition gets the best of us.  We want to beat each other to every story; every scoop.  That tends to make us “rivals”…..JK made sure that was never the case right off the bat.

Over the years we became true friends.  We bonded on road trips to the NCAA tournament and bowl games.  We began hanging out and playing a weekly pick-up basketball game.  JK had a quick wit and was wickedly funny.   He truly was a joy to be around.

He was also the consummate family man.  He loved his three boys, always bringing them to Wolf Pack games, practices and press conferences.  He was also heavily involved in their extra-curricular activities, taking them to football and baseball games, and even serving as the play-by-play guy at some of their games.  He was a devoted and loving husband, who cared for his wife Jaimie deeply.  Times have been tough the last few years, with his wife battling a form of cancer.  Those times just got a lot more difficult.  His family is going to need our help to get through this…they’re going to need others to step up.  If JK were still here, and the situations were reversed, he’d be the first guy to pitch in.  We need someone to do that now.

I cannot even illustrate how sad I am today.  I always looked forward to seeing JK….he made trips to practice and games that much more enjoyable.  He truly was one of the good guys……in a business and a world that quite frankly, there just isn’t enough of.  It’s a HUGE loss for the community, for KTVN, for his viewers, his family and his friends. 

It makes you question life.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  We’ll never know the answer.  If anything it should make us want to live our lives to the fullest.  We only get one, and we never know when our time will be up.

JK will be remembered.  He made a lasting impact on the community…..something everyone should strive for, but few will ever accomplish.  I’ve never heard anyone say a bad thing about him, not one….everyone liked JK.  We should all be so lucky.

Things just won’t be the same without you Metzker.  I’m glad I got to know you, and honored to say you were my friend.  I love you JK….and I will miss you always.  I already do.  Thank you for being you, I hope to one day achieve what you did……and leave a lasting impression on everyone I meet.

God Bless you JK…..the world needs more people like you.