Grant Wahl, a well-known American journalist, is away in Qatar after collapsing while covering the World Cup, sending shock waves through the sports community. He was 49.
He “collapsed,” a witness told reporters of the Argentina-Netherlands match on Friday.
Wahl “fell ill” in the press room, where he received “urgent on-site medical treatment”. This is reported by the organization of the World Cup in Qatar on Saturday. According to a representative of the Supreme Court Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the organization responsible for organizing the match, he was transported to Hamad General Hospital.
Keir Radnedge, columnist for World Soccer Magazine, said on Saturday he was treated at the stadium for “about 20 to 25 minutes” before being taken to hospital.
This happened at the end of the game’s overtime. Suddenly colleagues to my left started calling for help from the medical staff. It was clear that someone had fainted. People could move the chairs around because they were freestanding, which Radnedge said could create a small area around him.
The medical staff arrived “quite quickly and were able to administer care as best they could,” he continued.
It is unclear what exactly happened to cause his death.
US Soccer has released a statement in this regard official Twitter account, say, “The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to hear that we have lost Grant Wahl.”
“We are heartbroken that Grant, and his outstanding writing, will no longer be with us. Grant made football his life’s work.”
US Soccer expressed its condolences to Wahl’s wife, Celine Gounder, and other family members, while praising Wahl’s drive and “conviction in the power of the game to improve human rights.”
The post from US Soccer was also shared on Twitter by Gounder.
“I am extremely grateful for the help of my husband Grant Wahl’s football family and all the friends who have reached out to me tonight. I am completely blown away,” said Gounder, a longtime CNN commentator and member of the Covid-19 Advisory Group on the Biden-Harris Transition.
Ned Price, a spokesman for the US State Department, said the agency was in “close contact” with Wahl’s family. To “ensure that the procedure for the repatriation of the body is in line with the wishes of the family,” the World Cup organizers added that they are in contact with the US embassy.
According to his website Wahl had covered football for over 20 years, including 11 World Cups (six for men and five for women), and had written several books about the game.
According to a tweet on his official Twitter account, he had celebrated his birthday with “an amazing bunch of media buddies at the World Cup” earlier this week. He added: “Very grateful to everyone.”
being unwell
He had been feeling unwell in an episode of Futbol with Grant Wahl released just days before his death on December 6.
“The pressure, stiffness and tightness in my chest had become terrible. On the air, Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham: “I feel very hairy, horrible. He said: “I thought I had bronchitis so I went to the medical clinic at the World Cup media center.”
NEW: World Cup Daily, Day 25. They just don’t care. The organizers of the World Cup in Qatar do not even hide their apathy for the deaths of migrant workers, including the most recent.https://t.co/WEKoMdSm3J
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) December 8, 2022
He was given ibuprofen and cough medicine and claimed to feel better soon after.
According to Wahl, a “voluntary surrender by my body and mind” took place after the game between the US and the Netherlands on December 3.
This is not my first experience. At the time, he said, “I completed eight on the men’s side. I’ve been a little sick in every tournament, so it’s just trying to figure out how to complete your task.
In a recent newsletter dated Dec he went on to describe the incident, claiming that his body was “broken down” from lack of sleep, excessive stress and a demanding job. He claimed that after having a cold for 10 days it “developed into something more serious” and that he felt better after taking medication and getting some rest.
I’m fine, but that was an unnecessary ordeal. Am in the media center, still in my shirt. Held for almost half an hour. Go gays 🌈 https://t.co/S3INBoCz89
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022
By claiming he had been detained and temporarily banned from a World Cup match for wearing a rainbow T-shirt in support of LGBTQ rights, Wahl had made headlines in November.
He claimed security personnel took his phone and ordered him to change because “it’s not allowed”. A FIFA spokesman and a senior member of stadium security staff apologized to Wahl, who claimed he was released 25 minutes after his arrest.
Wow later admitted to CNN that he will “probably” wear the shirt again.
Gratitude pours in
The football and sports journalism communities were shocked by Wahl’s passing, with many people paying respect to him online.
Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, said in a statement: “Just a few days ago, Grant was recognized by FIFA and AIPS (the International Sports Press Association) for his commitment to covering eight consecutive FIFA World Cups. “
Infantino and FIFA media director Bryan Swanson visited the hospital to provide the family, friends and journalists, who were also his roommates in Qatar, with all the help they needed.
In a joint statement, the co-editors-in-chief of Sports Illustrated, the outlet where Wahl worked for most of his career, expressed their shock and devastation at the news of Grant’s passing.
We were deeply saddened to learn of Grant Wahl’s passing and extend our condolences to his family, with whom we have been in close contact. We are working with senior Qatari officials to ensure that his family’s wishes are fulfilled as quickly as possible.
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) December 10, 2022
No writer in the history of (Sports Illustrated) has ever been more passionate about the sport he loved and the stories he wanted to tell. said the statement. “We were delighted to call him a colleague and friend for two decades.”
It was noted that Wahl had started working for the magazine in November 1996. Before the sport gained worldwide fame, he volunteered as a young reporter to cover it. He later rose to become “one of the most esteemed football authorities in the world,” the report said.
According to the statement, Wahl worked with Fox Sports and other media organizations. He started his podcast and newsletter in 2020 after quitting Sports Illustrated.
LeBron James, a basketball player, stated in Philadelphia on Friday that he was “extremely fond of Grant.” James was the subject of a Sports Illustrated cover story by Wahl while James was still in high school.
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In a post-game press conference, James commented: “I always watched from a distance, even when I was moving up the ranks and turning pro, and he went to another sport. Whenever his name was mentioned, I always remembered that I was a young person and that Grant lived in our building. It’s a terrible loss.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King said the American’s death was “heartbreaking”.
“A gifted journalist, Grant was an outspoken supporter of women’s soccer and the LGBTQ community,” King tweeted Saturday. He uplifted others whose stories needed to be told by using his platform – gratitude for his family.
Other current and former American soccer players, such as Tony Meola and Ali Krieger, as well as organizations such as Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League, offered their condolences.
I am so grateful for my husband’s support @GrantWahl‘s football family & from so many friends who have reached out tonight.
I’m in shock. https://t.co/OB3IzOxGlE
— Celine Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA 🇺🇦 (@celinegounder) December 10, 2022
On Saturday, co-host of Wahl’s podcast Wittyngham said it had been challenging to understand the news of his passing.
Grant Wahl is the first football reporter you read if you’re an American. He essentially had the place to himself for a spell. According to Wittyngham, Grant was the first person to really and meaningfully pay attention to this sport.
Several journalists shared their experiences working with Wahl and encountering him at various World Cups.
Famed announcer Dick Vitale recalled, “Before he became the best cover football player, he played hoops and was very friendly to me.”
Wahl was described in a tweet by Timmy T. Davis, the US ambassador to Qatar, as “a highly recognized and highly respected reporter who specialized in the beautiful game”.
Stay tuned at Leedaily.com for more information.
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