Frank Deford dies at 78

Awardwinning sports writer and commentator Frank Deford, 78, died Sunday in Key West, Florida. Deford was a six-time Sports Writer of the Year and a member of the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He was known for his work at Sports Illustrated and National Public Radio.

Frank Deford, the awardwinning sports writer and commentator whose elegant reportage was a staple for years at Sports Illustrated and National Public Radio, died Sunday in Key West, Fla. He was 78. A cause of death was not available.

Deford was a six-time Sports Writer of the Year and a member of the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He wrote and spoke with a lyrical touch and this month retired from NPR’s “Morning Edition” after 37 years as a contributor. Deford was the first sports writer awarded the National Humanities Medal. In 2013, President Barack Obama honored him for “transforming how we think about sports.”

“A dedicated writer and storyteller, Mr. Deford has offered a consistent, compelling voice in print and on radio, reaching beyond scores and statistics to reveal the humanity woven into the games we love,” Obama said at the time. Deford called the award the one he is most proud of.

Deford was a prolific author, including several novels, and contributed commentaries to HBO’s “Real Sports” program and hosted documentaries on the cable network.

He is survived by his wife, the former model Carol Penner; two children; and two grandchildren.