On December 26th, 2020, the wrestling world lost a fantastic wrestler and entertainer in Brodie Lee. Still, more tragically, his family lost Jon Huber, a loving husband, and doting father. His widow Amanda has now bravely spoken about his passing on the AEW Unrestricted podcast, giving fans insight into his struggle and final days. The interview contains so much information, and you really need to listen to the podcast for yourself, but below are some key details taken from the episode.
Jon first became aware he had an issue when he couldn’t finish his Peloton bike exercise. He attempted it again the following day and still was unable to complete it. He’d drive to Jacksonville for the next Dynamite tapings, and despite testing negative, he was sent home as a precaution as AEW’s doctor wasn’t comfortable letting him in their bubble.
He’d develop a temperature, sought medical advice, was diagnosed with Bronchitis and allergies, and was prescribed allergy medications and an oral steroid. The next day he worsened and was taken to hospital and placed on a ventilator. Amanda noted that his health was up-and-down, and he was moved to ICU for better monitoring.
On Halloween, he was moved to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for further care. Amanda was told it was a “matter of life or death,” and talks began regarding a lung transplant. She noted that while she wanted to handle the medical costs herself, AEW insisted on paying.
On November 14th, Amanda’s Birthday, Jon was removed from the ventilator, put on oxygen again, and communicated non-verbally. Discussions started again over a lung transplant. Jon would sadly get an infection in his lungs, and his lung transplant request kept getting declined.
Just before Christmas, Jon’s kidneys and heart began failing. Doctors informed her that they would need to start end of life care. For their children’s sake, Amanda tried to have a normal Christmas, and that evening she flew to Jacksonville.
On the day Huger passed away, numerous people, including wrestlers Cody Rhodes, Big E, Shawn Spears, Peyton Royce, and Tyler Breeze, visited Jon to say their goodbyes. Cody and Big E would join Amanda in telling their eldest son Brodie Jr. that his father had died.
The official cause of death was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, although a full autopsy is pending. Amanda explains that Jon didn’t have a funeral due to what is going on in the world but considers the Celebration of Life episode of Dynamite to be his ceremony. She concludes by saying that AEW went above and beyond and helped their son live out his dream.
The podcast is challenging to listen to but recommended. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis usually affects people aged over 70 and is considered rare for people under 50. The reason people develop this condition is unknown, and it sounds like doctors did all they could as their no treatment that can stop the scarring of the lungs caused by the condition. A transplant was realistically his only chance of survival, and doctors have to consider the likelihood of success when apportioning donating organs. Also, a donor needs to be compatible in size, and at 6ft 5in, options were severely limited.
