Frank Deford, NPR's Longtime Philosopher Of Sports, Dies At 78

[True Dough]

Through nearly four decades, five presidential administrations and seemingly countless Super Bowls and World Series, NPR listeners could depend on at least one thing in the ever-unpredictable world of athletics: Frank Deford. A mainstay on Morning Edition, the Hall of Fame sportswriter was public radio's scholar of sports for some 37 years before hanging up his cleats earlier this year.

Deford died Sunday at the age of 78 at his home in Key West, Fla., his wife confirmed to NPR. He leaves behind an astonishing 1,656 commentaries for NPR.

"We are saddened to hear that Frank Deford has passed away," NPR President and CEO Jarl Mohn said in a statement Monday. "Since 1980, Frank voiced sports commentary for NPR, leaving us 1,656 of his signature insights into the world of sports and the human stories behind athletic triumphs. He was a beloved colleague and a signature voice of public radio."

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/29/530600033/frank-deford-nprs-longtime-scholar-of-sports-dies-at-78

[dhill926]

1. damn....a great, great writer....

[underpants]

2. The Deford test "A society is judged by how it treats its animals and its beaches"

[janterry]

3. I saw this online

and it made me so sad I started fishing around, reading some of his obit. I didn't know about his book -Alex: The Life of a Child - chronicling the life of his young daughter who died of cystic fibrosis when she was only 8.

He was such great storyteller.


Here he is with Obama

[pansypoo53219]

4. i did love him on NPR. and i am not a big sports fan.

in solidarity. i will continue to sniff at soccer. lol.

[lunamagica]

5. RIP

[shenmue]

6. Rest in peace

[oswaldactedalone]

7. I'd like to thank Frank Deford

for his idea which was the catalyst to bringing professional basketball to my hometown and other cities in North Carolina. For five years, me and my buddies greatly enjoyed being Carolina Cougar fans from the old ABA. Without his idea of regional sports franchises, the Cougar franchise would never have been moved from Houston. Not only were we Cougar fans but we were huge fans of the ABA. I saw Dr. J, aka Julius Erving, play his first pro game for the Virginia Squires and by the end of the first quarter we knew he was a very special talent. We'd never seen anything like him to be honest.

Here's a link to an article about this: https://www.si.com/vault/1970/01/19/542182/my-baby-is-called-the-kahlahnah-koogahs

I have to say the reference to Pistol Pete Maravich wanting to play for the Cougars leaves me feeling a bit wistful. Always thought he made a poor decision deciding to sign with the Hawks. It was the wrong team at the wrong time and place. He would've ruled the ABA and no one would've complained about anything he did.

RIP Mr. Deford.

[Kingofalldems]

8. Classy guy. RIP