Golf Channel host David Feherty on Tuesday shared the news that his eldest son, Shey, passed away from an overdose on his 29th birthday.
Feherty tweeted about the tragedy, saying, “My first born son is gone from me, dying from an overdose on his 29th birthday. Bless his sweet heart, I will fight on.”
Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports, and Mike McCarley, president of NBC Sports, golf, released a statement as well.
“Our deepest condolences go out to David Feherty and his family on the passing of his oldest son, Shey. Family means everything to David, and his Golf Channel, NBC Sports and extended television family send their love and support at this time.”
My first born son is gone from me, dying from an overdose on his 29th birthday. Bless his sweet heart, I will fight on.
— David Feherty (@Fehertwit) August 1, 2017
Our deepest condolences go out to the Feherty family. pic.twitter.com/UtLn9WaXui
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 1, 2017
Shey passed away on Saturday, and his family held funeral services for him on Tuesday at the Restland Funeral Home in Dallas.
In the obituary, his family writes, “His beautiful blue eyes could captivate a room, but they could not stare down the enemy that lurked in the shadows and prevent it from reaching out to grab him in his darkest time. Shey fought hard to win his battles with drug addiction and mental illness, but in the end the monsters won.”
The family added that they are sharing Shey’s story in an attempt to tell others to ask for help if they are suffering from an addiction: “Our Shey is gone from us now, but you can help us keep his light shining and focused if you reach out to another who suffers.”
David has been open about his own battle with drugs and addiction, and has said it runs in his family.
