Clinton Andrew Grybas (February 9, 1975 – January 5, 2008) was an Australian rules football and sports commentator. He was the son of Sandra and Vic Grybas, and had at least one sibling, a brother named Ashley. [1] He was also the four-year life partner of Laurenna Toulmin. [2]
He grew up in Warrendyte, where he was buried.[1]
Career
He started off at the South East Melbourne Magic basketball team as Club Journalist and Game Host before gaining a key role with the ABC in Melbourne and then in Perth, where he called and presented the ABC's coverage of Australian Football League matches. He also called National Basketball League (NBL) games and hosted an NBL talk show Sunday Basketball, before being poached by 3AW, where he and Rex Hunt formed the self-proclaimed "number one calling team" in the game. He was also host of Fox Footy Channel's White Line Fever before the channel ceased transmission in 2006. Along with 3AW he worked with Fox Sports as a commentator on Sundays, calling the Sunday Twilight match with Gerard Healy and Glen Jakovich.
Death
Clinton was found dead at his home on the morning of January 5, 2008, aged 32. He was found at his apartment and rushed to hospital, where he was formally pronounced dead. General manager of 3AW, Graham Mott, said his death had not yet sunk in. "He's just one of those genuinely brilliant people who is very good at what he did and a terrific bloke as well. At a time like this, while you can think about the wonderful things he did it's still hard to get over the fact he's gone, no longer with us."
A preliminary news report theorized that Grybas died as a result of head injuries due to a sleepwalking induced accident.[3] An autopsy was completed yet the results have not been released to the public.
Funeral
His funeral service on January 15, 2008 at City Life Church in Wantirna South was open to the public. Over 1000 people attended, including fifteen family members and many prominent figures in sport and broadcasting.[1] The service was over ninety minutes long.[2]
He was buried in Andersons Creek cemetery in Warrandyte.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Emotional Farewell for Grybas, January 15, 2008.
- ^ a b Hundreds mourn Grybas' tragic death, The West Australian, January 15, 2008.
- ^ Houlihan, Liam (2008-01-06). "Star's sleepwalk death". Sunday Mail. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
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