CNN
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Famous American journalist Grant Wahl died in Qatar after a fall while covering the World Cup, causing shock and sadness in the sports world.
He “collapsed” while covering the Argentina-Netherlands game on Friday, a source told CNN.
The organizers of the World Cup in Qatar said on Saturday that Wahl “fell ill” in the press area, where he received “immediate treatment online.” He was then transferred to Hamad General Hospital, said a spokesman for the Supreme Judicial Committee for Transfers and Inheritance, the body responsible for organizing the competition.
The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear.
“The entire US Soccer family is saddened to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl,” US Soccer said in a statement on its Twitter account.
“Grant made football his life’s work, and we are saddened that he and his great writing are no longer with us.”
US Soccer praised Wahl’s passion and “belief in the power of the game to advance human rights,” and offered its condolences to Wahl’s wife, Celine Gounder, and his friends. loved one.
Gounder also tweeted about US Soccer.
“I am very grateful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s soccer family and many friends who came tonight. I am very surprised,” wrote Gounder, a former CNN contributor who served on the board. Biden-Harris transition Covid-19 advisory.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the department was in “close communication” with Wahl’s family. The organizers of the World Cup also said that they are in contact with the US Embassy “to ensure that the process of returning the body is in accordance with the wishes of the family.”
Wahl has covered soccer for more than two decades, including 11 World Cups, and has written several books about the sport, according to his website.
He celebrated his birthday earlier this week with “a great group of media friends at the World Cup,” according to a post on his Twitter account, adding: “Thank you so much for everything .”
In an episode of the Futbol podcast with Grant Wahl, which was published a few days before his death on December 6, he complained about not being well.
“It’s really good like my chest is tight, tight, tight. It feels good to have hair, it’s bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in the event. He added that he sought help at the clinic at the World Cup media center, suspecting bronchitis.
He was given syrup and ibuprofen, and felt better soon after, he said.
Wahl also said he experienced “involuntary capitulation by my body and mind” after the US-Netherlands game on December 3.
“This is not my first rodeo. I did eight of these on the men’s side,” he said at the time. “And so, I had an illness in every tournament, and trying to find a way want to do your job.”
He further explained what happened in a news release published on December 5, writing that his body was “broken” after little sleep, extreme stress and heavy work. . She had a cold for 10 days, which “became worse,” she wrote, adding that she got better after getting antibiotics and sleeping. .
Wahl made headlines in November by revealing he was arrested and briefly refused to participate in a World Cup match because he was wearing a rainbow shirt to support LGBTQ rights.
He said security staff told him to change his shirt because it was “not allowed,” and took his phone. Wahl said he was released 25 minutes after being booked and received condolences from a FIFA representative and a senior member of the security team at the stadium.
Afterward, Wahl told CNN he “will wear” the shirt again.
Wahl’s death sent shockwaves through the football and sports community, with many offering condolences on social media.
“A few days ago, Grant was recognized by FIFA and AIPS (the International Sports Press Association) for his contribution to the reporting of eight FIFA World Cup matches,” said the FIFA President. Gianni Infantino in a statement.
The editors-in-chief of Sports Illustrated, the publication where Wahl spent most of his career, said in a joint statement that they were “delighted and saddened by the news of Grant’s passing.” .”
“We’ve been proud to call him a colleague and friend for two decades — no writer in (Sports Illustrated) history has been more passionate about the sport he loves and the stories he loves to tell.” ,” the statement said.
He added that Wahl first entered the press in November 1996. He volunteered to cover sports as a young reporter – before he reached the level of international fame he enjoyed now – and has become “one of the most respected executives in the world,” he said.
The spokesperson said Wahl has worked with other advertisers including Fox Sports. After leaving Sports Illustrated in 2020, he began publishing his podcast and newsletter.
On Friday in Philadelphia, basketball star LeBron James said he “really likes Grant.” While Wahl was at Sports Illustrated, he did a cover story on James when James was in high school.
“I always watched from afar as I went up and became a professional, and he went to another sport,” James said, speaking in a postgame press conference. “Every time his name comes up, I always think of me when I was a teenager and having Grant in our house… It was a tragedy.”
Other soccer players and former U.S. players, including Ali Krieger and Tony Meola, expressed their satisfaction, as did sports organizations such as Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League.
Wittyngham, Wahl’s podcast co-host, told CNN on Saturday that the news of his death was difficult to understand.
“For America, Grant Wahl was the first person you read covering football. He was the only person for a while… Grant was the first person who really looked at this sport in a serious way,” said Wittingham.
A number of journalists have shared stories of appearing with Wahl, and have teamed up with him at many world cups over the years.
“Before he was a great basketball player, he made hoops and was kind to me,” wrote legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale.
Timmy T. Davis, the American Ambassador to Qatar, said Wahl is “a well-known and respected journalist who focuses on the beautiful game.”
