The Canadian Football League regular season kicked off this week, but one of TSN’s most prominent CFL analysts wasn’t featured on their broadcasts (which are also syndicated in the U.S. on CBS Sports Network and CFL+, and internationally on CFL+ and elsewhere). That would be Milt Stegall, who has been a CFL on TSN studio analyst since 2009, the year after his retirement following a 14-year CFL career. But Stegall’s absence is quite understandable, as his 20-year-old son Chase, a soccer player at DePaul University in Chicago, passed away in his residence hall last Monday.
Chase Stegall’s death prompted expressions of support from across the CFL and TSN communities. And the elder Stegall has noticed those. He put out a statement on social media Saturday thanking everyone with the league, TSN, teams, and fan communities for their support, and indicating he hopes to return to CFL broadcasts in the near future:
Here’s the full text of what Stegall wrote there:
“Thank you to the entire @CFL community.
“To my bosses, the commissioner, my @CFLonTSN family, players, past and present, owners, coaches, general managers, team staff, media personalities, and the incredible fans who make this league so special. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“Every tribute, every call, every message, post, or sign, every act of love has wrapped my family and me in a comfort that is helping us navigate through these difficult times.
“The love you’ve shown us has been overwhelming, in the best way. It’s reminded us that this league, this family, runs so much deeper than football.
“Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We feel them.
“And I hope to see you all again soon.
“#CFLLove #PaperPlates”
There’s certainly been a lot of people expressing support for the Stegall family amidst this tragedy, including TSN dedicating their 2025 season to Chase’s memory. Our thoughts go out to the family in the wake of this death. And we certainly hope to see Stegall on broadcasts again soon as well.
It’s not yet clear when Stegall might return. 3 Down Nation reported Saturday that “there is currently no timeline for his return to the broadcaster,” and that makes sense; no one would want him to rush back before he’s ready. And, in a statement to John Hodge of that site last Wednesday (for an article on larger CFL on TSN changes, including long-time panelist and game analyst Matt Dunigan’s exit), CFL on TSN producer Chris Edwards made it clear the company won’t look to bring Stegall back until he’s ready:
“Our CFL on TSN family is absolutely devastated over Chase’s passing. If you know Milt, you know that his family is everything to him, and we cannot imagine the pain he is going through right now. Milt is our brother and we are going to give him our love and support him in any way we can, and in whatever way he needs.”
If Stegall does choose to return later this season, there will definitely be a lot of fans and media overjoyed to see him on their televisions again. We send all our best to him and his family in the meantime, and encourage him to take all the time he needs.
About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.