1998 – Frank Deford

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 16, 1938, sportswriter Frank Deford has been described as “the nations finest sportswriter,” and “the most influential sports voice among members of the print media.” Deford’s work has appeared in nearly every type of media. He was a writer for Sports Illustrated from 1962-1989, and then returned to the magazine in 1998 after working as editor-in-chief for the National Sports Daily, and writing for Vanity Fair and Newsweek. He has also appeared on radio as a regular Wednesday commentator on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition,” since 1980, and is a regular correspondent on HBO’s television show, “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.” For his outstanding work as a sportswriter, Deford has been named National Sportswriter of the Year six times, and been named Magazine Writer of the Year twice. He has also received a Christopher Award and a National Magazine Award for his work in print media, and an Emmy and CableACE Award for his work as television writer. Along with his work as a journalist, Deford served as national chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for 16 years. In recognition of his illustrious career, he was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame on April 27, 1998.