Dan Jenkins

Dan Jenkins. An iconic American sportswriter and novelist, he was renowned for his acerbic wit, deep knowledge of golf, and groundbreaking coverage of college football. For decades, his columns in Sports Illustrated and his bestselling novels defined a brash, irreverent style of sports journalism. His work earned him numerous accolades, including inductions into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Early life and education

He was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, where he developed an early passion for sports, particularly the local TCU Horned Frogs football team. He attended R. L. Paschal High School before enrolling at Texas Christian University. While at the university, he wrote for the student newspaper, the TCU Daily Skiff, and began his professional writing career with the Fort Worth Press under the guidance of editor Blackie Sherrod. His education and early newspaper work in Texas provided the foundation for his distinctive voice and encyclopedic sports knowledge.

Sports writing career

His national prominence began when he joined the staff of Sports Illustrated in 1962, becoming one of the magazine's signature writers during its golden age. He covered every major golf tournament for decades, from The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club to the U.S. Open and The Open Championship, and was famous for his annual preview of the College Football National Championship race. After leaving Sports Illustrated, he continued his column for Golf Digest, maintaining his status as a preeminent and fearlessly opinionated voice on the game. His nonfiction books, such as The Dogged Victims of Inexorable Fate and Fairways and Greens, are considered classics of sports literature.

Novels and other works

He achieved widespread fame beyond journalism with his bestselling 1972 novel Semi-Tough, a satirical look at professional football and American culture that was later adapted into a 1977 film starring Burt Reynolds. This success was followed by other popular sports-themed novels, including Dead Solid Perfect about the PGA Tour, which was also made into a 1988 movie, and Baja Oklahoma. His fiction, known for its hilarious dialogue and insider's view of the sports world, expanded his influence and readership, making him a rare crossover star from the press box to the New York Times Best Seller list.

Personal life and death

He married his wife, June Burrage, in 1952, and they had three children together. The couple lived primarily in Fort Worth, Texas, and later in New York City during his tenure at Sports Illustrated, but he always considered Texas his home. He was a devoted fan of the TCU Horned Frogs and a regular presence at major golf tournaments long after his retirement from daily journalism. He died at his home in Fort Worth, Texas in 2019 at the age of 90, survived by his children and grandchildren.

Legacy and honors

His impact on sports journalism is profound, having mentored a generation of writers and set a standard for combining deep reporting with literary flair and humor. His honors include the William D. Richardson Award from the Golf Writers Association of America, and inductions into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Dan Jenkins Medal, established by the Golf Writers Association of America, is awarded for excellence in golf broadcasting. His papers are housed at the Southwestern Writers Collection at Texas State University, cementing his status as a legendary figure in both American literature and sports media.

Category:American sportswriters Category:American novelists Category:1928 births Category:2019 deaths