Bobby Rhine, 35, dies of apparent heart attack
September, 6, 2011
By Buzz Carrick
ESPN Dallas
FC Dallas play-by-play announcer Bobby Rhine, the 35-year-old former player and public face of the franchise, died Monday night of an apparent heart attack while vacationing with his family in Florida, the team confirmed Tuesday.
Rhine is survived by his wife Beven and two children.
There is no person who has done more as a player and front office employee for FC Dallas than Bobby Rhine. A man known for his leadership and work ethic that so exceeded the normal player. Rhine was so valuable to the team and franchise that he was the rare career player for this one team despite multiple coaching changes. A diligent and tireless worker to promote FC Dallas, Rhine was also become quite the TV voice as both a color commentator and play by play man.
Born in St Louis, Rhine became as star at UConn where he was a 2nd team All-American. Rhine was drafted by FC Dallas 6th overall in 1999. Over his career Rhine played multiple positions for FCD. Starting out as a striker, he notably scored a hat trick in the first game in which his future wife came to watch him play. Over his career Rhien also performed at a high level as a midfielder and defender.
When he retired at the end of the 2008 season after almost a decade with the same team scoring 23 goals in 212 appearances, Rhine moved into the front office and became the Manager of Community Development and color commentator for FC Dallas. This season he moved into the play by play roll.
I was privileged to call Bobby Rhine a friend. A man of conviction and integrity, I have long felt I was a better person for knowing Bobby. Being drafted a few months after the creation of 3rd Degree, he was the hallmark FCD player for me as his career has coincided with the birth and growth of the site. But none of that conveys was a great person, father, and friend he was. Always happy, upbeat and positive, Bobby was always willing to stop for a chat or share a joke no matter how busy or over loaded he was. His love of the game was only overshadowed for his love for his family. He will truly be missed.
Bobby Rhine, rest in peace my friend.
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/soccer/post/_/id/13390/bobby-rhine-dies-of-heart-attack
