Adan Manzano, a rising sports journalist, was in New Orleans, eagerly covering Super Bowl LIV for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports. He was passionate about his work, always bringing energy and dedication to every game he reported on.
But tragically, his career was cut short.
On Wednesday, February 6, 27-year-old Adan Manzano was found dead in a hotel in Kenner, Louisiana. The news was confirmed by KGKC Telemundo Kansas City, where he worked as a sports anchor.
His death came as a shock to his colleagues, friends, and the sports community, who had seen him as a promising star in sports journalism.
The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office released a statement the next day, saying, “There were no obvious signs of trauma to his body.” An autopsy was performed, but the official cause of death remains unknown, pending further tests.
Manzano had been in New Orleans on assignment, doing what he loved—covering one of the biggest sporting events of the year. His employer, KGKC Telemundo Kansas City, expressed their deep sorrow, stating, “Adan was a true professional and a rising star, who exemplified excellence in his work.
We will deeply miss Adan and his passion for sports, and the contributions he made to the local community.”
His colleagues described him as hardworking, helpful, and well-liked. His friends called him loyal, always ready to support the people he cared about.
Manzano was widely recognized for his sideline reporting during Kansas City Chiefs’ Spanish-language broadcasts. He was also the play-by-play announcer for the KC Current.
TICO Sports, another network he worked with, paid tribute to him, saying, “He will be greatly missed by our TICO Family and will live on in our hearts and memories.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also honored him, writing, “Adan was so young and full of energy, and truly covered almost every event in the community. So very sad to see this news. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
Steve Downing, the general manager of KGKC, spoke about how thrilled Manzano had been to cover such a historic event like the Super Bowl. “He was excited about the possibility of witnessing a threepeat,” Downing said, referring to the Chiefs’ shot at winning three championships in a row.
“He would have wanted us to keep going and do our best to bring all the color, all the excitement—all that the Super Bowl means to Kansas City.”
Manzano had been with Telemundo Kansas City since 2021, working tirelessly to bring sports coverage to the Spanish-speaking community. He was deeply proud of this work, often saying that providing commentary in Spanish helped people connect with the game on a deeper level.
“Bringing that to the Spanish community is important because Hispanic and Latino fans have historically supported soccer, but there’s always room for football to become the favorite sport,” he once said passionately.
His work reached audiences far beyond Kansas City, with listeners tuning in from Spain, Brazil, and other countries. He was excited about the rapid growth of the Kansas City Current, particularly how their presence was expanding in Mexico.
In 2023, Manzano covered the Super Bowl from the broadcast booth. By 2024, he had been promoted to a sideline reporter. “I used to dream about this, but I never expected it would happen so soon. It’s just a blessing,” he had said at the time.
Manzano was looking forward to the 2025 Super Bowl. His last Instagram post reflected his excitement:
“‘Opening Night’ officially kicks off Super Bowl LIX week! ✨ The teams, the excitement, and all the stories surrounding this big event where the Chiefs seek the coveted tri-championship start here. Don’t miss any details of this great event by Telemundo Kansas City! 🔥🏆”
But beyond his work, Manzano had another great love—his daughter, Eleanor. He was a devoted father, always finding ways to include her in his life, even when work kept him busy.
Tragically, Eleanor had already lost her mother, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd Manzano-Aguilar, in April 2024. Ashleigh, just 24 years old, died in a multi-vehicle crash southwest of Topeka.
An infant passenger, likely Eleanor, was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, along with another driver involved in the accident.
Ashleigh had been a dedicated second-grade teacher at Lowman Hill Elementary School. She was beloved by students, parents, and staff. She was also active in the Kansas Association for Youth (KAY), always looking for ways to make a difference.
Even after her passing, Ashleigh remained close to Manzano’s heart. His Instagram bio included a tribute to her: “Always in my heart @ashleighboyd37 ❤️🥇.”
Ashleigh had always been proud of Manzano’s accomplishments. When he moved from the broadcast booth to the sideline in 2024, she had shared her excitement: “He has worked so hard at this.
There were times when he had two or three jobs to make ends meet. And now, knowing he gets to go out there and do what he loves and what he’s good at—it’s just the best feeling ever.”
At home, watching her dad on TV became a fun tradition for Eleanor. She and her mother would race to see who could spot him first during live broadcasts.
Even when Eleanor wasn’t physically with him, Manzano found ways to keep her close. When he attended his first media game for the Kansas City Current, he posted a collage of photos, one of which 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 am going to love her forever.”
Now, in a heartbreaking turn of events, Eleanor has lost both her parents. The young girl’s future remains uncertain, but the love her father had for her will never fade.
Manzano’s passing is a deep loss for the sports world and his community. Those who knew him will remember his passion, dedication, and kindness.
He lived for the game, but he also lived for his family. And though his time was cut short, his impact will live on forever in the hearts of those he touched.
