Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
FC Dallas play-by-play announcer Bobby Rhine passed away Monday night, the victim of an apparent heart attack suffered while on vacation with his family. He was 35-years-old.
The team confirmed the passing on their web site Tuesday morning.
“The FC Dallas family is shocked and saddened by the passing of Bobby Rhine and our thoughts and prayers are with Bobby’s wife Bevan and the entire Rhine family in this very difficult time,” Clark Hunt, chairman of FC Dallas owning Hunt Sports Group, said in the team’s published statement. “We will miss Bobby’s passion for the beautiful game, his dedication to FC Dallas and our supporters, and the positive spirit he shared with everyone he met.”
Rhine was best known for his on-field contirbutions to FC Dallas, spending 10 seasons in the team after being drafted out of the University of Connecticut in 1999. Selected with the sixth overall pick, Rhine would become a mainstay in the Dallas team, making 212 Major League Soccer appearances, being used in both attack and defense.
“I had the pleasure of coaching him during his time as a player and Bobby always gave his all to FC Dallas,†said head coach Schellas Hyndman. “He brought a daily smile and an unmatched passion and love for the club and his teammates.â€
After his a player career ended in 2008, Rhine moved into the front office and broadcast booth. In addition to his broadcast roles, Rhine was Dallas’s Manager of Community Development.
Rhine is survived by his wife and two children.
