Frank Deford
Frank Deford died on Sunday, May 28, at his home in Florida. Remembrances of Frank's life and work can be found in All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and on NPR.org.
Writer and commentator Frank Deford was the author of 20 books. His latest, I'd Know That Voice Anywhere, is a collection of his NPR commentaries and was described by Chicago Tribune as "glorious, hitting all the notes from funny to emotional to profound. ... Once again, his words make sports come alive." Booklist calls it a "rich collection for anyone interested in the sporting life."
The collection was culled from Deford's commentaries on NPR's Morning Edition, dating back to 1980.
On television, Deford was a senior correspondent for 20 years on the HBO show Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel. In magazines, he was a senior contributing writer at Sports Illustrated for 32 years and later became senior editor emeritus.
Two of Deford's books — the novel Everybody's All-American and Alex: The Life Of A Child, his memoir about his daughter who died of cystic fibrosis — have been made into movies. Two of his original screenplays, Trading Hearts and Four Minutes, have also been filmed.
President Obama presented Deford with the medal from the 2012 National Endowment for the Humanities. He is the first writer to receive this award primarily for his work in sports.
As a journalist, Deford was elected to the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters. Deford was voted by his peers as U.S. Sportswriter of The Year six times. The American Journalism Review likewise cited him as the nation's finest sportswriter, and twice he was voted Magazine Writer of The Year by the Washington Journalism Review.
Deford had also been presented with the National Magazine Award for profiles, a Christopher Award and journalism Honor Awards from the University of Missouri and Northeastern University, and he received many honorary degrees. The Sporting News once described Deford as "the most influential sports voice among members of the print media," and GQ called him, simply, "the world's greatest sportswriter."
In broadcast, Deford won both an Emmy and a George Foster Peabody Award. ESPN presented a television biography of Deford's life and work, "You Write Better Than You Play." A popular lecturer, Deford spoke at more than a hundred colleges, as well as at forums, at conventions and on cruise ships around the world.
For 16 years, Deford served as national chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and he remains chairman emeritus. Deford was a graduate of Princeton University, where he had taught in American Studies.
-
This year, the extra-point line of scrimmage has been moved back to the 15-yard line. Will that make any demonstrable difference in lowering the conversion rate?
-
As Serena Williams seeks her 22nd Grand Slam title, commentator Frank Deford wishes tennis produced more competitors worthy of her.
-
As NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and star quarterback Tom Brady head to court over "deflategate," commentator Frank Deford says it's time for Goodell to be replaced in the league's front office.
-
Commentator Frank Deford weighs in on two of the youngest, brightest stars in professional baseball.
-
Commentator Frank Deford isn't crazy about the new boxing movie Southpaw. He says its shortcomings are typical of Hollywood's depiction of boxing.
-
The legal loophole that allows people to bet on fantasy sports teams but not real ones is attracting big money. Fantasy games may trump real ones soon, says commentator Frank Deford.
-
Commentator Frank Deford says female supporters will play a key role in sustaining enthusiasm for women's sports after an exciting U.S. Women's World Cup win.
-
Baseball statistics have been around almost as long as the game. But a recent statistic explosion has led to covert skulduggery, industrial espionage and power politics. In baseball!
-
If ESPN wants to honor selfless players, it should give awards for courage to unknown people who achieve great feats.
-
Tennis players Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic both have the potential to win Grand Slams, one of the rarest achievements in sports. But it's not an easy feat.