Louisiana Sports Pioneer Ed Daniels Passes Away, Leaving Behind a Legendary Legacy – GeauxPreps – Louisiana High School Sports

by: Vincent Cacioppo // GeauxPreps.com Managing Editor

Ed Daniels, a legendary figure in New Orleans sports broadcasting, has passed away, leaving behind a permanent mark on the Louisiana high school sports community. With a career spanning over 40 years, Daniels became a familiar face to countless Louisiana high school sports fans. His journey began at WDSU-TV, but it was at WGNO-TV where he truly made his mark, serving as the station’s first and only sports director for 33 years.

While many sports departments focused on professional and college sports, Daniels was a tireless advocate for Louisiana high school athletics. He was the driving force behind the popular “Friday Night Football” show, which brought the excitement of high school sports into the homes of viewers. The show’s success led to the creation of two other programs: “Friday Night Sports,” covering winter events, and “Friday Night Fastball,” which highlighted baseball, softball, and other spring sports.

Daniels’ commitment to high school sports extended beyond television. In 2011, he along with others launched the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic basketball tournament. What began as a 16-team boys’ tournament evolved into a premier event with five different brackets for boys and girls. This success inspired similar events in baseball and 7-on-7 football, with a new volleyball event set to debut this fall.

Daniels’ contributions to high school athletics were recognized by his alma mater, Archbishop Rummel High School, which inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. He was also honored by De La Salle High School with a place in its athletic hall of fame.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine praised Daniels as a pioneer in high school sports recognition and promotion, noting that his “Friday Night Football” show was among the most-watched programs in Louisiana. Bonine added, “Ed was a professional… a true reporter who loved what he did when covering not only high school but college and professional sports across our great state. He will be missed, but his legendary career will never be forgotten.”

Ed was as genuine as they come. I’m incredibly thankful to have known him. He was a constant professional, and extremely courteous, but most of all, he was a kind and compassionate soul who touched the lives of everyone he met.

There’s a quote by Nick Saban that has always stuck with me, “People aren’t going to remember what you say, they’re going to remember how you made them feel.”

Ed Daniels embodied this sentiment, leaving a legacy not just in his words coming through your television, but in the way he made everyone around him feel truly valued.

Ed Daniels’ legacy as a champion for high school athletics will endure, even as the community mourns his loss.