Barstool Sports personality and golf influencer Cody “Beef” Franke has died at the age of 31 due to “a sudden medical issue,” the sports media company announced.
On Monday, Oct. 27, the X account for “Fore Play,” the Barstool Sports podcast about all things golf, posted a tribute to Franke confirming his death. The account tweeted a black-and-white photo of Franke and wrote, “We are beyond devastated to announce that our good friend and cherished Barstool Sports colleague, Cody ‘Beef’ Franke, passed away from a sudden medical issue over the weekend.”
Franke, who worked for almost a decade as a PGA of America Golf Professional, frequently appeared on “Fore Play” after becoming the podcast’s head golf professional last year.
In a follow-up post, the “Fore Play” team praised their late colleague, writing in a statement, “Cody truly loved the game of golf. He selflessly spent much of his life helping others improve and enjoy the game. Watching golf bring people happiness brought him happiness, and that infectious personality was felt by everyone who met him. He was universally known as the nicest guy in the world.”
The statement also noted that Franke enjoyed making people smile through his work as a PGA professional and a Barstool Sports employee. The Fore Play team expressed condolences for Franke’s family and loved ones. At the end of the tribute, the team said, “We’ll be removing our hats for Cody today and every day. Rest in peace to the classiest man we knew.”
Franke often shared videos filled with golf tips on his social media, helping him gain thousands of followers. The “Fore Play” account uploaded a clip to X in February that showed Franke meeting some of his fans in person. He took off his cap each time he interacted with a new fan and shook their hand.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy mourned Franke’s death in a statement shared on X. “Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend. Just tragic news. You will never find a nicer, more genuine person than Beef,” Portnoy said.
He continued, “It’s hard to even process it right now. Just another cruel reminder that tomorrow is never promised and to live each day to its fullest. #Ripbeef.”
In March, the PGA of America interviewed the golf professional about his journey to becoming a social media star and a Barstool Sports staple. “Golf has always been home for me. It’s something I can go do. If you go to the golf course, it doesn’t really feel like work—work. I’m just at a place I’m really happy to be around. I’m home,” Franke told the outlet. “That’s what this has always been for me.”
https://www.today.com/popculture/news/cody-beef-franke-dies-rcna240158
