The 2019 College Football Playoff made an endearing gesture for two beloved reporters during Monday's national title game between LSU and Clemson.
Two seats were left empty in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome press box, reserved in memoriam of Edward Aschoff and Carley McCord, both of whom died before the culmination of the 2019 season. Their work spaces also had yellow roses, meant to express appreciation and platonic love.
Amie Just, a Saints Reporter for the Times Picayune and The Advocate (New Orleans), tweeted out photos of the empty seats.
Two seats in the Superdome press box tonight have been reserved in memory of Carley McCord and Edward Aschoff.
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) January 13, 2020
Aschoff, 34, died on Dec. 24 after a bout with pneumonia. McCord, 30, died on Dec. 28 in a plane accident.
Both were widely respected and adored sports journalists. pic.twitter.com/FaMW3572zx
MORE: Sporting News' final top 25 college football rankings for 2019
Aschoff died on Dec. 26 — his 34th birthday — from complications of multifocal pneumonia, which he developed when he covered the Nov. 30 matchup between Ohio State and Michigan.
McCord, the daughter-in-law of LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, was one of five people who died in a Dec. 28 plane crash in Lafayette, La. The plane was en route for LSU's Peach Bowl semifinal matchup against Oklahoma in Atlanta. She was 30.
An emotional moment between Steve Ensminger and his son 🙏 pic.twitter.com/q9m1WlhWtV
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 14, 2020
