Professional bowling star Jakob Butturff has died suddenly at the age of 32, the Professional Bowlers Association confirmed. No cause of death was given.
PBA commissioner Tom Clark said Butturff was one of the most unique players in the association’s history. Clark said fans marveled at his delivery and described him as kind, respectful, and a champion who would never be forgotten.
Fellow bowler EJ Tackett posted an emotional tribute on social media, calling the news soul crushing and saying Butturff was the kind of person who would give the shirt off his back for anyone in need.
Butturff was an eight-time PBA Tour champion and won one major, the 2019 USBC Masters. He burst onto the scene in 2016, winning his first two PBA Tour titles and setting a record with nine trophies on the PBA Regional Tour that same year.
He was a seven-time member of Team USA, helping the squad to multiple gold and silver medals, and received an ESPY Award nomination in 2019.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Butturff also lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and Binghamton, New York, according to the PBA. His last social media post came in March.
