Rudy Martzke, one of many innovators within the American sports activities media commentary area, has died on the age of 82.
This was confirmed by his son on social media.
Martzke was a pioneer within the sports activities media commentary area – launching one of many first columns on the subject for USA Right this moment in 1982.
He continued to put in writing that column till his retirement in 2005. In his final column, he famously ribbed a few of his topics.
‘Whereas some at instances have blistered me with complaints –- Gary Bender, Howard Cosell and even [Pat] Summerall –- my experiences have largely been optimistic whereas protecting the TV sports activities enterprise throughout a interval of its best development,’ he wrote.
‘The plaudits have come because the Sports activities on TV column grew to become acknowledged. There have been options on me in Sports activities Illustrated and different magazines, a charity Rudy Roast in 2000 [in Biloxi, Mississippi] and a proclamation learn to me on the males’s Ultimate 4 in St. Louis by NCAA President Myles Model, who described me as an icon. Cannot do any higher than that, I suppose.’
Within the aftermath of his passing, many sports activities media titans honored Martzke on social media.
Rudy Martzke, one of many pioneers in sports activities media commentary, has died on the age of 82
‘Very unhappy concerning the passing of the nice Rudy Martzke,’ NBC Sports activities’ Greg Hughes wrote on X, previously Twitter. ‘A good friend, nice humorousness, bulldog reporter, fellow Badger (and an enormous fan), sports activities media trade legend.
‘Helped many a PR particular person (positively me) and others throughout the trade with their careers…damage just a few, too.’
‘Whenever you noticed this byline in USA TODAY Sports activities you knew it will be a must-read,’ ESPN vice chairman of communications Invoice Hofheimer mentioned.
‘By no means had the possibility to work w/ Rudy Martzke however met him after I joined ESPN. A legendary determine and a great man. Very unhappy to listen to of his passing in the present day.’
‘So unhappy to only study of the passing of an actual media legend Rudy Martzke of USA TODAY Sports activities fame,’ legendary ESPN school basketball commentator Dick Vitale mentioned on X.
‘His Monday column was a should learn by folks from the world of TV sports activities . We had many a enjoyable time at varied occasions over time. Might RUDY RIP.’
Martzke is survived by his spouse and his two sons.
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