Cody Franke, known to fans as “Beef” and a popular figure at Barstool Sports, has died at the age of 31.
The news of his passing was confirmed by the Fore Play podcast, a division of Barstool Sports, on Monday, 27 October 2025.
According to talkSPORT, Franke died over the weekend from what Barstool Sports described as a “sudden medical issue.”
His death was announced in a statement shared on social media by the Fore Play team, who described him as a “beloved member” of the company and “the nicest guy in the world.”
“We are beyond devastated to announce that our good friend and cherished Barstool Sports colleague, Cody ‘Beef’ Franke, passed away from a sudden medical issue over the weekend. Cody truly loved the game of golf. He selflessly spent much of his life helping others improve and enjoy the game. Watching golf bring people happiness brought him happiness, and that infectious personality was felt by everyone who met him,” the statement read.
Franke joined Barstool Sports in 2025 as a contributor to its Fore Play golf podcast. Before his role there, he had worked for nearly a decade as a PGA of America Golf Professional in California and Wisconsin.
His reputation for giving simple, practical golf advice helped him build a large following online, where his instructional videos and “swing tips” regularly went viral.
In a 2025 PGA.com feature, Franke shared that he began creating golf content while working at Desert Willow Golf Resort in California. His short instructional videos were aimed at helping everyday golfers improve their game without complex terminology.
He often described himself as “the common instructor for the common golfer.” His approachable style made him a standout in a sport that can sometimes feel intimidating to beginners.
Franke, a Chicago native, studied at Ferris State University in Michigan, where he completed the PGA Golf Management program. After working at several golf clubs, including Thornberry Creek at Oneida in Wisconsin, he was contacted by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
Franke initially thought the message from Portnoy was a prank, but it turned out to be the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
Following his passing, Dave Portnoy paid tribute to Franke, calling the news “tragic.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Portnoy wrote:
“Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend. You will never find a nicer, more genuine person than Beef. It’s hard to even process it right now. Just another cruel reminder that tomorrow is never promised and to live each day to its fullest.”
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac also shared her condolences, writing:
“Heartbreaking news. He was such a kind and good person.”
At the time of his death, Franke had nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram, where he shared golf tips and behind-the-scenes moments from his work with Barstool.
His professionalism, friendly personality, and love for the sport made him one of the most respected new voices in the golf media space.
Barstool Sports’ statement concluded:
“We’ll all be removing our hats for Cody today and every day. Rest in peace to the classiest man we knew.”
