Friends, sports community remember Regina broadcasting icon Woodsy

Tributes continue to pour in as Saskatchewan residents — and people across the country — fondly remember Warren Woods.

The man everyone knew as Woodsy died Wednesday of complications from COVID-19. He was 66.

Social media platforms were packed with comments about the longtime Regina sports broadcaster. At one point Wednesday night, Woods was trending on Twitter in Canada.

Many posts remembered Woodsy’s rants about trains on Ring Road, his love of the Toronto Maple Leafs and, of course, his infectious laugh.

This is incredibly sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Woodsy had a great laugh and a wonderful delivery on sports. Every Thursday morning at CJME he would complain about trains in the city. He will be missed.

— Michael Fougere (@MFougereYQR) January 21, 2021

I am saddened to hear of the passing of one of Saskatchewan’s most popular sports broadcasters, Warren Woods. Saskatchewan lost a great friend today. For this night and only for Woodsy… Go Leafs. pic.twitter.com/6ayxn3TAOV

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) January 21, 2021

Woods worked as a sports anchor on STV/Global TV in Regina for 26 years and as part of the sports team on CJME for seven years. His many years of covering curling led to Woodsy being inducted into CurlSask’s “Legends of Curling” in 2014.

Teams he covered during his 33-year broadcasting career in Regina offered their thoughts after hearing the news of his passing.

In memory of Woodsy 💚 pic.twitter.com/jNoS60ucem

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) January 21, 2021

The Pats would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family & friends of longtime sports broadcaster Warren Woods, who passed away earlier today.

Thank you for all the memories. Your tremendous passion for sports & the Queen City won't be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/XD1uhNDGeE

— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 21, 2021

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie and sports reporters from other cities also took time to pay tribute to Woods with online comments.

Craig Adam, one of Woods’ former co-anchors on Global TV, reflected on his friend’s impact on Saskatchewan.

“Warren affected so many people in so many different ways,” Adam said Thursday morning. “He leaves a deep hole in this province.”

Adam said they were always trying to make each other laugh on the job. Woods would often go on his legendary rants during commercial breaks or when the sportscast had finished.

Adam said Woods took a turn for the worse in hospital and even though there was a sense of what could come, Adam said even that didn’t prepare him for when it did actually happen.

Woods was known for loving the Leafs, golf and curling.

Adam said Woods’ love for curling started in Northern Ontario. He brought it to Regina in 1987 when STV launched.

Adam said Woods’ co-host at the time hated curling but that didn’t stop Woods from saying they were going to be putting curling on the air all the time.

“He loved his local sports and he wanted to reach out to people. That was his connection,” Adam said. “Curling was real people and Warren was a real guy. On the air, off the air. He was the exact same person.”

Adam believes the reason Woods was so endearing to so many people was because he was the real deal.

“He was a big part of everybody,” Adam said.

“It’s heartbreaking. It really is.”

Adam said Woods’ kids, Nicole and Chris, wanted to reach out and say thanks to the community for its support, along with the staff at the Regina General Hospital.

Through Adam, they said if there’s a silver lining to their dad’s passing, it’s a reminder to people COVID is real, the virus can impact people and it needs to be taken seriously.

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STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF WARREN WOODS
January 20, 2021

Please see the following statement from the family of Warren Woods, regarding his passing on Wednesday, January 20:

The children of veteran Regina sports broadcaster Warren Woods are deeply saddened to announce that “Woodsy” passed away at 3:25 p.m. on January 20, 2021 at the age of 66, due to complications from COVID-19. His two children, Nicole and Chris, were by his side.

They wish to express their immense gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and specialists on the Medical Intensive Care Unit and Unit 3E at Regina General Hospital for all their attention and care. Nicole and Chris are also grateful for the outpouring of support Warren has received from across the country over the last seven weeks. It’s comforting for them to know how many people cared about their dad.

Nicole and Chris are asking for privacy during this very difficult time, and politely decline all media requests. Details about a celebration of Woodsy’s life will come at a later date, after COVID-19 public gathering restrictions are lifted.