Frank Deford

Frank Deford – Life, Career, and Memorable Insights

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Delve into the life of Frank Deford — the iconic American sportswriter, novelist, and commentator. Explore his formative years, prolific career at Sports Illustrated and NPR, his advocacy, and his most memorable quotes and lessons.

Introduction

Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Deford III (December 16, 1938 – May 28, 2017) was an American writer whose work transcended the boundaries of sport. He blended literary flair, journalistic rigor, and deep human insight to make sports a window into life and culture. Known for his long tenure at Sports Illustrated, his regular commentaries on NPR’s Morning ion, and his contributions to HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Deford reshaped what sports writing could aspire to be.

Early Life and Family

Frank Deford was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the eldest of three sons of Benjamin Deford, a businessman, and Louise Deford. He attended the Calvert School and later the Gilman School in Baltimore.

He often remarked on how his childhood was “happy” — a detail he later contrasted with the stereotypes often associated with writers. Deford discovered early on that he wanted to write; by age ten, he had resolved that writing would be central to his life.

In 1962, he graduated from Princeton University with an A.B. in history and sociology. At Princeton, Deford edited the Daily Princetonian and even had two campus plays produced.

He later married Carol Penner; the couple had children, including Christian and Scarlet (adopted after the tragic death of their daughter Alexandra from cystic fibrosis).

Career and Achievements

Beginnings and Sports Illustrated

Shortly after graduating, Deford joined Sports Illustrated as a researcher. Over time he became one of its most admired writers, contributing feature pieces, columns, and long-form essays for more than five decades.

He was known for adopting narrative techniques traditionally reserved for fiction — character, scene, introspection — and applying them to sports journalism, helping establish a “New Journalism” approach within the realm of athletics.

Over his career, he was honored multiple times: six times named U.S. Sportswriter of the Year, twice Magazine Writer of the Year, and inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame.

Radio & Commentary

Beginning in 1980, Frank Deford became a regular sports commentator on NPR’s Morning ion, a role he held until shortly before his death. He delivered more than 1,656 commentaries over the decades.

One of his strengths was bridging audiences — he often noted that radio (especially as he practiced it) was “closer to writing” than television, allowing him to reach listeners who might not otherwise engage with sports.

He also served as a senior correspondent on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, bringing his thoughtful voice into televised sports journalism.

Fiction, Memoir & Advocacy

Beyond journalism, Deford wrote 18 books, several novels, memoirs, and works blending sport and life. Notably:

• Everybody’s All-American (1981), a novel about the arc of a football star’s life, later adapted into a film.

• Alex: The Life of a Child (1983), a memoir that chronicled his daughter Alexandra’s struggle with cystic fibrosis and its impact on his family.

Following Alexandra’s death, Deford became deeply engaged in advocacy for cystic fibrosis research and treatment. He served as chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation from 1982 to 1999 and remained active thereafter.

He also ventured into editorial roles, such as heading The National, a U.S. sports daily launched in 1990 (which folded after a short time).

In recognition of his contributions to culture, journalism, and literature, Deford received the National Humanities Medal in 2013.

Historical & Cultural Context

Frank Deford’s era coincided with major shifts in media, sports, and narrative journalism:

• During the mid-20th century, sports coverage shifted from play-by-play to deeper stories of identity, struggle, and context—Deford was part of that shift.

• As television and radio exploded, writers like Deford strove to maintain the written voice in commentary, preserving literary sensibility in broadcast media.

• The rise of athlete celebrity, commercialization, and debates over the ethics of college sports provided fertile ground for his reflective essays on what sports say about society.

• His advocacy in health and human stories paralleled a time when public figures increasingly used their platforms for causes beyond their primary field.

Legacy and Influence

Frank Deford left a legacy that extends across journalism, literature, public advocacy, and cultural reflection:

• He expanded the notion of sportswriting, proving that stories from the field could illuminate the human condition.

• Many younger writers and commentators cite his blend of elegance, empathy, and moral gravitas as a model.

• His Alex memoir and activism helped raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and support for families facing the disease.

• Deford’s archives are preserved at the University of Texas at Austin, which hosts an annual lecture in his name.

• He remains recognized not only for his style, but for his integrity — colleagues often speak of him as a “great human being” as much as a great writer.

Personality, Style & Strengths

Several attributes distinguish Frank Deford’s voice and career:

• Elegance with lucidity: He wrote with clarity and grace, making complex emotion accessible.

• Empathy & depth: Many of his essays explore pain, loss, identity, and redemption—not just wins and losses.

• Curiosity & intellectual honesty: He questioned trends (commercialism in sports, the role of money, ethical issues) rather than just celebrating spectacle.

• Consistency & dedication: For decades he delivered essays, books, commentaries—rarely losing touch with the heart of his craft.

• Humor and self-awareness: Even in serious commentary, he could be wry, satirical, or playful—never pompous.

Famous Quotes by Frank Deford

Here are some memorable quotes that capture his voice and philosophy:

“To see the glory in sport, where somebody comes from behind and does something … there is a beauty in that.”

“I don’t think there are many kids who sit around and want to be actors … But so many of us want to be athletes … we put them up on that pedestal.”

“I think one of the most immoral things is college football and basketball, where everybody is making money except the players.”

“I think I would die if I couldn’t get to the typewriter every day. I really need that.”

“Thank you for listening. Thank you for abiding me. … now … I bid you goodbye.”
— from his final NPR broadcast farewell

These lines reflect his love of the craft, his moral reflection about sport’s place in society, and the emotional bond he maintained with his audience.

Lessons from Frank Deford

From his life and work, several lessons emerge that transcend sports writing:

1. Tell stories, not just scores
   Deford showed that the value in sports lies not just in stats or outcomes, but in lives, struggles, and meaning.

2. Blend craft with conscience
   Great writing should entertain and provoke thought — he made that balance natural.

3. Let voice endure across media
   He proved that a strong writing voice can carry from print to radio to television without losing integrity.

4. Use platform for positive change
   His advocacy for cystic fibrosis and his willingness to address inequalities in sports show that writers can and should engage with real-world issues.

5. Consistency and humility
   Over decades, he remained accessible, generous, curious — qualities that deepen one’s influence more than flash or notoriety.

Conclusion

Frank Deford was more than “a sportswriter.” He was a chronicler of aspiration and heartbreak, of how athletic contests echo life’s dramas. Through Sports Illustrated, NPR, RTG, fiction, and memoir, he carved a space where sports and humanity meet. His words remain a standard for anyone who wants to write about more than just games.