Frank Deford has died at age 78

Frank Deford, sportswriter, has died, per multiple reports. Deford, who passed away Sunday, was 78 years old.

As someone who grew up reading Sports Illustrated every week when it arrived in the mail, Deford was a constant and welcome presence in my life for many years. Deford was a feature writer for Sports Illustrated throughout my teenage years, and was later tapped to be the editor-in-chief of “The National” the daily sports newspaper that lasted just 18 months.

Deford is a member of the Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame, was named Sportswriter of the Year by that organization six times, and is generally considered one of the truly great sportswriters of any era.