Jon Burnett, a beloved weather forecaster and TV personality at CBS Pittsburgh’s KDKA-TV, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. He was 71. According to Dr. Joseph Malone, a Cognitive Neurologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Burnett’s death was due to complications from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
KDKA-TV confirmed his passing via an Instagram post, stating, “Jon Burnett, former cherished personality of KDKA-TV, has died. He leaves behind an outstanding legacy, remembered for his authenticity, talent, and compassion.”
Burnett, who retired in 2019 after 37 years in broadcasting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had been struggling with neurological disorders, including memory loss. He was suspected of having CTE, a degenerative brain condition often linked to repeated head trauma, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prior to his career in broadcasting, Burnett was a defensive end for the University of Tennessee football team, graduating in 1976. He suffered two significant concussions and many head impacts during his athletic career.
In a 2024 interview with KDKA-TV, Burnett discussed the physical impact football had 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,” Burnett stated during the interview.
He also revealed his participation in the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh, where he agreed to donate his brain posthumously for further research into brain disorders and CTE. He also recounted numerous collisions during his football career, usually colliding with other players between 30-40 times each game.
CTE, which can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem, is frequently found in contact sports athletes, military personnel, and victims of physical abuse. However, not everyone with a history of repeated concussions develops the condition.
Burnett’s career at KDKA-TV started in 1982 as co-host of “Evening Magazine,” first with Liz Miles and later with Mary Robb Jackson. His immediate appeal with Pittsburgh viewers was credited to his Southern charm. Jackson told KDKA, “There’s something that comes through that screen and you really can’t fool it, and I think Jon was just a natural.”
Three years after joining “Evening Magazine,” Burnett transitioned to hosting “Pittsburgh 2Day.” By the 1990s, he had moved into meteorology, where he stayed for nearly three decades until his retirement.
Patrice King Brown, his “Pittsburgh 2Day” co-anchor, expressed her sadness to KDKA, stating, “My TV brother. I will love him forever.”
Burnett was remembered by colleagues for his on-the-spot nature, emotional transparency, and his ability to adapt as a broadcaster. “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,'” recalled former KDKA meteorologist Dennis Bowman.
Known for his adventurous spirit on camera, Burnett engaged in a variety of activities during broadcasts, including riding roller coasters, skiing, and other daring feats, entertaining audiences throughout western Pennsylvania.
Burnett’s health had significantly declined in recent years. By February 2024, when he disclosed his CTE diagnosis, his short-term memory, voice, and mobility had significantly deteriorated, necessitating assistance from his wife, Debbie.
The Burnett family decided to share Jon’s story to help others understand CTE and its effects, to destigmatize brain diseases, and to support crucial research being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. Their advocacy has contributed to raising awareness and increasing enrollment in the university’s brain research program.
Despite his diagnosis, Burnett said he would still have played football if he had the chance to do it all over again. His passion for the sport remained undiminished, even in the face of its consequences.
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 moving to Pittsburgh in 1982, quickly becoming a well-known figure.
Burnett’s legacy goes beyond his career in television. His bravery in disclosing his CTE diagnosis and involvement in brain research could aid future athletes in avoiding similar neurological outcomes.
Burnett is survived by his long-time wife, Debbie, and their adult children, Samantha and Eric.