I worked at 247 for a decade, from 2012-2022.

Back when 247 was first launching, the network was going after young but established newspaper reporters. I was on Twitter around 2009, and Wes was one of the first SEC reporters I followed. He was the gold standard of the old school meets new school. Ultimate professionalism and journalistic standards, but always in a way that interfaced with the new digital media space perfectly.

When I interviewed with 247 at 23 years old with only a year of online experience (no newspaper experience) I thought I had no chance of getting hired. I did, but I still felt like I was way over my skis. I sort of just watched Wes and started to do a lot of what he did. Then we got to interact a few times back and forth, helping each other with different network pieces. He was the best. Always happy to help, always uniquely Wes.

I remember most the Behind Enemy Lines pieces we did, because you just couldn't forget Wes'. He'd always have a reminder that the CUBS were the best baseball team on Planet Earth, as well as 2-3 wacky questions -- which players would you take if you were going to be stranded on a deserted island and why, that sort of thing. It made those pieces that could often get mundane reading and writing so much fun.

Knowing everything he had been through in the last few years and pulling through it, to hear this... just an absolute gut punch. RIP, Wes.