Ed Daniels Field ceremony held at Muss Bertolino Stadium

KENNER, La. ( WGNO ) — It was a night full of smiles, tears and celebration as the field at Muss Bertolino Stadium was renamed in honor of New Orleans sports media legend Ed Daniels.

“It’s a little bit overwhelming. He was a special friend and mentor to me personally, and then on a professional level,” Kenner Director of Recreations Charles Illane said.

“It’s an honor for my programs to be able to play on an Ed Daniels field here at Muss Bertolino playground,” Discovery Schools Athletics Director Jeryl Fischtziur said.

This decision to dedicate the field in honor of Daniels was made in early September by a unanimous vote, and Councilman George Branigan says it was one of the easiest decisions of his life.

“I said I’m great with that; lets do it. There was no hesitation. I didn’t have to think about it. Ed was a great guy, and what he’s done for our city and south Louisiana with high school sports is unbelievable,” Councilman George Branigan said.

Daniels is mostly commonly remembered for his impact in sports media, becoming the sports director at WGNO back in 1992, and creating Friday night football, which revolutionized the way prep athletics are covered today.

“The guy was never just about the big programs, and when we started from the ground up. He was always checking in and making sure how we were doing. He wanted to make sure we had scores from us and it was really important to me as a new head coach in a new program. He had all these big programs like the John Curtises and Edna Carrs across the world, and he chose to check in with us,” Kenner Discovery Head Coach PJ Sprunk said.

While Daniels is being honored for his work, he is also being remembered for his dedication as a family man; being a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Much of Daniels’ family was at Friday night’s ceremony to celebrate as well.

“It’s an incredible feeling, although it comes with a little bit of bitter sweet, because he’s not able to be here. This is what he loved the most. Not so much the stuff on Saturday or Sunday. He loved that stuff too, but always on Friday night, it was always special,” Ed’s son Ryan Daniels said.

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