Frank Deford, legendary sports writer and commentator, dies at 78

[Sylvia]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ary-sports-writer-and-commentator-dies-at-78/

The longtime Sports Illustrated writer got his start at the magazine in 1962, but over his career there wasn’t a medium that he didn’t plunge into. The author of more than a dozen books also made his mark on TV and radio with his booming, gruff voice. Until his recent retirement after 37 years, Deford had been a weekly fixture on NPR’s Morning Edition, offering his unique take on the sports world.

Frank Deford’s wife confirmed that he died on Sunday in Key West, Florida.

https://www.si.com/tech-media/2017/05/29/frank-deford-death-legendary-sports-writer
One of Deford's most celebrated articles for Sports Illustrated from 1978: Raised By Women To Conquer Men: The journey of Jimmy Connors

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...rd-nprs-longtime-scholar-of-sports-dies-at-78
Deford's final commentary for NPR was on May 3rd: http://www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526582433/deford-says-thanks-for-a-good-game-drops-mic

 

[skatesindreams]

He was a wonderful writer and commentator.
I've enjoyed his books and articles for as long as I can remember.

Thank you, for sharing your great gifts and insight for so many years.
RIP

 

[twinsissv]

I enjoyed hearing his opinions regarding many sports. Can't remember anything specific, but I recall smiling a great deal afterwards. RIP...Mr. Deford

 

[judiz]

I remember him for the book he wrote about his daughter who died from Cystic Frbrosis.

 

[skatesindreams]

Some of his pieces on skating:
http://www.npr.org/2010/02/10/123529251/figure-skating-the-olympics-broken-sport
http://www.npr.org/2014/01/22/264526765/in-ice-skatings-biggest-story-the-media-were-poor-sports
http://www.wbur.org/npr/275307171/double-axels-and-death-spirals-yes-figure-skating-is-a-sport

 

[Yazmeen]

Here's the full transcript of the commentary on how Nancy Kerrigan was treated by the media: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=264526765

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Here's the full transcript of the commentary on how Nancy Kerrigan was treated by the media: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=264526765

Thanks for posting the link to the transcript - Nancy was being compared to Katharine Hepburn, however - not Audrey.

NK and KH - both New Englanders, and Hepburn in her teenage years won the Connecticut state "young ladies" skating championships once. Interesting how both managed to (finally) survive bad treatment by the press following their greatest early career successes.

 

[Yazmeen]

Thanks for posting the link to the transcript - Nancy was being compared to Katharine Hepburn, however - not Audrey.

NK and KH - both New Englanders, and Hepburn in her teenage years won the Connecticut state "young ladies" skating championships once. Interesting how both managed to (finally) survive bad treatment by the press following their greatest early career successes.

Actually, I think he really meant Audrey because he was referring to Nancy's looks, not her skating - the elegant up-do, the long neck, and elegant outfits, etc.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Actually, I think he really meant Audrey because he was referring to Nancy's looks, not her skating - the elegant up-do, the long neck, and elegant outfits, etc.

That is entirely possible. I thought the first time I saw the KH comparison was in one of Christine Brennan's books and had not seen any comparisons to AH. I did a quick Google search with NK and both Hepburns and there are articles making the comparisons of NK to each of them.

I would have gone with Sasha Cohen as resembling Audrey more, but in 1994 of course she was still a preteen.

 

[skatingfan5]

Actually, I think he really meant Audrey because he was referring to Nancy's looks, not her skating - the elegant up-do, the long neck, and elegant outfits, etc.

That is entirely possible. I thought the first time I saw the KH comparison was in one of Christine Brennan's books and had not seen any comparisons to AH. I did a quick Google search with NK and both Hepburns and there are articles making the comparisons of NK to each of them.

I would have gone with Sasha Cohen as resembling Audrey more, but in 1994 of course she was still a preteen.

I would not have thought of Audrey Hepburn - the comparison to Katharine struck me as more apt -- maybe it was because of the cheekbones. (Also knowing that Nancy was somewhat of a "jock" matched with Katharine's athletic nature.) Of course, if it were the costumes and hair styling, then I suppose Audrey would seem just as likely.