Yeah, I’ve noticed that as well. Nothing official though. EDIT: His brother posted on his story that he was likely killed. A comment from Grant's brother Eric on the above linked Instagram video. pic.twitter.com/YqL4GiVgFA— Adam Heff. (@geekchicohio) December 10, 2022
His brother posted on Instagram seemingly confirming the tragic news: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl977mRJ-R8/ Just shocking…
NPR can confirm the death of longtime soccer sportswriter Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl). He died today in Doha, Qatar while covering the Argentina-Netherlands World Cup quarterfinal. Story to come.— Russell Lewis (@rdlewis) December 10, 2022
Absolutely heartbreaking. Grant was a great writer, a respectable reporter, and an important part of US Soccer no matter what people's personal opinions of him were. Sadly, this is going to be politicized and also the source of a lot of conspiracy theories in the coming days. Is there a version of DEFCON-2 for the mods?
That's incredibly sad. Way, way too young. I have my opinions on him but will never bring such things up when someone in on their deathbed or has passed. He genuinely loved and had great passion for this game. RIP Grant. That's a loss for the sport.
Here’s a little background on the rainbow shirt incident, from the Boston Globe: He made headlines early in the tournament by trying to enter a Cup venue in a rainbow T-shirt, “in support of LGBTQ rights in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal.” Wahl reported he had his phone taken from him during a long confrontation at the stadium media entrance, though he was eventually allowed to enter without changing the shirt. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12...ant-wahl-dies-while-covering-world-cup-qatar/
Jornalista recebe massagem cardíaca na tribuna após passar mal durante Holanda x Argentina. Ele foi retirado das tribunas de imprensa carregado em uma maca #genacopa pic.twitter.com/LOeC8jgmxA— ge (@geglobo) December 9, 2022 A friend of mine who grew up in Brazil showed me this tweet. I think it mentions something along the lines of a journalist receiving CPR and being taken out on a stretcher. I assume it’s related. Really sad and shocking.
More confirmations: I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight.I'm in complete shock. https://t.co/OB3IzOxGlE— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA 🇺🇦 (@celinegounder) December 10, 2022 U.S. Soccer Statement On The Passing Of Grant Wahl: pic.twitter.com/CBp1mCK1mQ— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) December 10, 2022 Also, I had no clue he was part of a "power couple"... his wife is a leading COVID-19 researcher and was recently named to Biden's advisory committee. So many aspects of this are sad.
I will try to have an open mind and not jump to conclusions but this is devastating news. An outspoken American media member dying at 48 after writing critically about the Qatari regime.....is going to be a major story even if it was a tragic accident. I imagine this will break through to mainstream (I just mean non sports) news and we will be hearing lots more. I'm in shock.
https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/world-cup-daily-day-25 He just posted an article yesterday condemning the apathy of Qatari World Cup organizers to migrant worker deaths.
On his Thursday edition (yesterday) of his podcast, Grant said: “I’ve had a case of bronchitis this week. I’ve been to the medical clinic at the media center twice now, including today. I’m feeling better today. I basically canceled everything on this Thursday that I had and napped.” And he mentioned everyone is coughing there, particularly in the journalism community. So he was clearly fighting something, though did not appear to be under the impression it was serious, much less potentially fatal. Such a tragic turn of events.
Can only confirm that the bronchitis/cough is extremely bad over there. I had it (and a horrible fever/runny nose) for a few days with it being bad one day, feeling good the next and then getting hit again after that. Won't speculate on anything about what happened to Grant but just confirming that the flu/cough is indeed really bad over there. Completely in shock though about Grant's passing. Nothing will make it "good" about his passing but do hope that it was a major medical issue instead of something else. US Soccer journalism won't be the same.
This is Grant Wahl on his podcast yesterday. pic.twitter.com/LN0gxbQZkr— Kyle Koster (@KyleKoster) December 10, 2022
Just shockingly sad. Love him as a soccer journalist or not, he was important in legitimatizing the game by being a regular for Sports Illustrated on the sport. And, just a good guy, taking good stands for the right side of history.
The fact I didn’t agree with everything he wrote shows he did journalism in a good way. Always appreciated his thought and writing, even if I didn’t always agree with his opinions. Just a sad thing to see. Only a couple of years older than I am. I hope his family and friends find peace and comfort.
It sounds like he had flu, COVID and bronchitis at the same time. I’m 33 and had that about a month ago. Absolutely knocked me for 6. Had nothing left and was really struggling with my breathing. Very unpleasant experience And 8 weeks on I’m still not completely out of the woods. Real shame