“If you’re loyal and outwork the world, you can make your dreams come true.” These were the words Jay Glazer swore by on days when he felt unworthy or woke up feeling not quite himself. The earliest childhood memories he has were of feeling anxious and gloomy, and after years of enduring it, he didn’t know how to live life any other way. But his father, Edward A. Glazer’s words, stuck with him as he hustled his way through odd reporting gigs and sleeping on burned-out couches.

When his cousin, who went to the University at Albany, let him stay at their frat house, Glazer had no idea he would have to sleep on that burned-out couch for a month. He would lay his clothes on it to make the bedding for the night, and during the day, he would try to make ends meet. For the first ten years of his career, he made just about $9,450 every year. Even when he worked with the New York Post, the most he got paid was $9,000 a year. Cut to the present, and Jay Glazer is a household name. The man has been working as an NFL insider for Fox Sports’ NFL pregame studio show, FOX NFL Sunday, for over two decades now. But that’s only a part of his work.

He made it his mission to destigmatize mental health issues among men, owing to his own struggles with the same, and also tapped into the world of combat sports. All of this resulted in a large network of high-profile friends like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Strahan, Michael Phelps, and Lindsey Vonn. Glazer proved his dad’s words right in every sense…

But this Sunday, he shared something deeply personal—his father, Ed Glazer, had passed away at the age of 83. He shared the news on his official IG handle and wrote: “My pops passed this AM at 83. Last weekend I got to fly back East to say goodbye to my dad before he died. I am soooooo glad I did.

“Listen gang, we just rent these bodies but the souls live on forever, at least that’s what I CHOOSE to believe. During our visit, he said knew he was heading to the other side, I asked if he good with it. He was. So I said “When you are up there with my best friend GOD come visit.” “I promise,” he said. “Every week.”

“We had a really good goodbye. I get to remember THAT, which is a gift. Pretty surreal conversation. But I was able to leave him with gratitude. I was able to thank him for taking me to Giants Stadium on Sundays growing up, who would have thought that those Sundays would lead to my career. I also thanked him for getting me close to my Judaism, which he instilled in me at a young age. I’m a VERY faith-based person so that truly meant a lot to me.” Ed Glazer was the president of the temple, Israel Congregation of Manchester, and instilled the same faith in his son.

“But what I truly was able to leave him with was this. When I was younger, he taught me the greatest lesson anyone has ever taught me. He said very deliberately, “Jay, if you are loyal and you outwork the world all your dreams will come true.” Best advice I ever got in my life. By far!!! I told him I took that lesson to heart and made it my mantra I live my life by. To… this… day!!!! I left him with this: “Dad, thank you for teaching me that, and you were 100 percent right. Thank you for helping make all my dreams come true.” All of them. Thank you!

“RIP Ed Glazer, sending you a ton of love big guy!!! Not a bad ride for a kid from Flatbush, Brooklyn, he made out pretty damn good!” Following the heartbreaking loss of Ed Glazer, NFL players and Hollywood figures alike come forward to honor and pay tribute to Jay Glazer’s father. Troy Aikman, the Cowboys legend, expressed his condolences with a simple yet heartfelt “🙏🏼❤️,” a gesture that speaks volumes about the loss FOX host is feeling. Aikman was joined by the Raiders‘ Maxx Crosby, who shared his love for Jay, writing, “Love You Brother 🙏🏼.”

Sylvester Stallone, known for his deep admiration for Jay Glazer, also paid his respect, writing, “Jay, I feel for you, but you are a very, very lucky man to be able to share those incredible moments in person. I believe that’s probably the number one regret when people lose their parents or someone very near and dear they didn’t get to convey those soul felt feelings which you did. Truly amazing. He raised an amazing son.”

Following the heartbreaking loss of Ed Glazer at 83, Glazer’s loved ones and close circle rallied around him, honoring the memory of a man who had shaped not only Jay Glazer’s life but also that of others.

Fans and family share heartfelt tribute to Jay Glazer’s father

After the news of his father’s passing, the reactions from Jay Glazer’s fans and loved ones flooded his social media post. And each and every comment showed respect for the man who brought out a wonderful person in Glazer. Max Glazer, Jay’s nephew, shared heartfelt words of his own, saying, “Beautiful words, Uncle Jay. I’m grateful we got to be there with Pa in this past month. Love and memory from Chicago 💚.”

Max’s message for Ed Glaxer has everything, whether it’s highlighting the personal connection between Jay Glazer and his family or bringing attention to the importance of being with loved ones in their final moments. Another fan, clearly moved by Glazer’s emotional post, wrote, “Sending you so much love, Jay. Beautiful caption. ❤️🙏🏽.” Sometimes, it’s the simplicity of a message that speaks the loudest.

The outpouring of support continued with another emotional message: “Ugh I am so sorry to hear this 💔I’m so glad you got to see him.” It’s clear that his followers didn’t just grieve with him, but were touched by the fact that he had the chance to say goodbye in his final moments. The comfort of that visit was something that people could connect with who had lost their loved ones after saying their final goodbyes.

In a similar vein, one follower expressed, “Love you brother, glad you got to spend time with him at the end, so important ❤️.” Finally, another fan commented, “He brought up a wonderful and dynamic man in you. He goes to the kingdom a proud father! God bless!”

However, these messages go beyond condolences. They recognize that Glazer’s father played a fundamental role in shaping the man Jay Glazer is today.