Feinstein covered a variety of sports over his decades-long career and became a familiar commentator on NPR, ESPN and other radio programs.
MCLEAN, Va. β John Feinstein, a best-selling author and sports columnist at the Washington Post, died Thursday, according to the publication. He was 69.Β
His brother, Robert Feinstein, confirmed the death to the Washington Post but said there was no clear cause of death. Feinstein reportedly died at his brother’s house in McLean, Virginia.
The Post says Feinstein started working at the publication in 1977 as a night police reporter before making a name for himself in the sports world. He covered a variety of sports over his decades-long career and became a familiar commentator on NPR, ESPN and other radio programs.
His last column was published Thursday morning, just hours before his death was announced, and covered 70-year-old Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s passion for his craft.Β
Sports columnist Dick Weiss took to social media to announce his reaction.
“I kept hoping this wasn’t true. but legendary sportswriter and one of my closest friends John Feinstein has died suddenly,” he wrote. “I’m still in shock. just spoke with him. he was supposed to stay with us Sunday night before speaking at the Coaches v Cancer breakfast at the Palestra.”
Feinstein also wrote dozens of books, “23 of which are New York Times Best-Sellers,” according to his website. They include a look at the 1993-94 PGA Tour “A Good Walk Spoiled;” teen mystery novel “Last Shot;” and “A Season On The Brink,” which set a record for the best-selling sports book to date.
He was inducted into multiple Hall of Fames for his work.
Feinstein also helped raise over $5 million for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) research through the nonprofit he co-founded with golfer Tom Watson called The Bruce Edwards Foundation. They launched the nonprofit after Feinstein’s 2001 book “Caddy For Life,” which followed the story of Watson’s friend and caddy Bruce Edwards who battled with ALS.Β
