Rick Reilly

Rick Reilly is an acclaimed American sports columnist and author, renowned for his long-running tenure at Sports Illustrated and later at ESPN. His distinctive, often humorous and poignant writing style earned him the National Sportswriter of the Year award a record eleven times. Reilly's career spans print, television with ESPN and ABC Sports, and numerous bestselling books, solidifying his status as one of the most recognizable voices in sports journalism.

Early life and education

Born in Boulder, Colorado, Reilly developed an early passion for sports and writing. He attended Fairview High School before enrolling at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studied journalism. While at university, he began his professional writing career, contributing to the Boulder Daily Camera and later the Denver Post, covering local sports and honing the narrative style that would become his trademark.

Sports journalism career

Reilly's national career launched at The National, a short-lived sports daily, before he joined the staff of Sports Illustrated in 1985. He gained fame writing the magazine's back-page column, "Life of Reilly," which became one of the most widely read features in American sports media. In 2007, he moved to ESPN, where his column appeared on the back page of ESPN The Magazine and online on ESPN.com's Page 2. His television work included roles as a commentator for ESPN and a contributor to ABC Sports programming like Monday Night Football and the British Open.

Writing style and notable columns

Reilly's writing is characterized by its conversational tone, sharp wit, and ability to find human-interest angles beyond the scores and statistics. He frequently profiled figures like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Mike Tyson, blending humor with poignant social commentary. Notable columns include his tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks through the lens of sports, a scathing critique of FIFA's corruption, and heartfelt pieces on anonymous heroes in youth sports. His style earned him comparisons to Jim Murray and Grantland Rice.

Books and other works

Reilly is the author of several bestselling books, including Who's Your Caddy?, Hate Mail from Cheerleaders, and Tiger, Meet My Sister.... He also authored the sports novels Missing Links and Shanks for Nothing. His work extended to screenwriting, with credits on films like Leatherheads, which starred George Clooney and was set in the early days of the National Football League. Reilly has also been a frequent contributor to television shows on ESPN and NBC Sports.

Personal life

Reilly is married to Cynthia Reilly, and the couple has three children. An avid golfer, he has participated in numerous celebrity golf tournaments and often wove the sport into his columns and books. He has been involved in various charitable endeavors, including supporting the V Foundation for Cancer Research and other causes related to children's health and sports. Reilly resides in Colorado, maintaining a connection to his home state throughout his career.

Category:American sports columnists Category:American male journalists Category:Sports Illustrated people Category:ESPN personalities Category:1958 births Category:Living people