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Rick Reilly

Rick Reilly is an sportswriter, , and renowned for his humorous columns in and ESPN publications, where he chronicled sports stories with a focus on and personal narratives. Over a career spanning more than four decades beginning in 1979, Reilly contributed the "Life of Reilly" back-page column to from 1985 to 2007 and later to until 2019, earning acclaim for blending wit, investigative reporting, and athlete profiles. He has authored several books, including works on legends and critiques of figures like in Commander in Cheat. Reilly's achievements include being named National Sportswriter of the Year eleven times by the National Sports Media Association and induction into its Hall of Fame in 2014. However, his career has not been without controversy, including a 2014 self-plagiarism incident that resulted in ESPN terminating his online column and disputes over reporting accuracy, such as a misquoted family member in a column defending the Washington nickname.

Early Life and Education

Upbringing and Family Background

Richard Paul Reilly was born on February 3, 1958, in . He grew up in during the 1960s and 1970s, in a household marked by his father Jack Reilly's and obsession with . Jack Reilly, who played aggressively but drank even more intensely, frequently returned home intoxicated from the course, associating the sport with family distress and absence in Reilly's early memories. This dynamic contributed to a lack of paternal presence at family events and instilled a complex, initially negative relationship with , which Reilly later explored in high school to comprehend its hold on his father. His mother, Betty Reilly, is noted in biographical accounts but with limited details on her role amid the family challenges. The unstable home environment, characterized by Jack's daily consumption of quarts of , fostered Reilly's eventual gravitation toward as an escape and means of seeking positive male figures.

Academic and Early Influences

Reilly attended the at , graduating in 1981 with a degree in . While a there, he began his professional writing career in 1979 at the Boulder Daily Camera, initially handling phoned-in high school scores before advancing to cover local sports, including . He later credited much of his practical training to Dan Creedon, the paper's former sports editor, rather than formal coursework, stating that on-the-job experience formed the core of his education in the field. Reilly's early interest in writing stemmed from childhood activities in , where he grew up after being born in on February 3, 1958. He produced a homemade for a neighborhood Home Run Derby league, fostering an early affinity for sports storytelling. Family dynamics played a significant role in shaping his career path; his father's and absence as a strong role model drew him toward as an outlet, though it also complicated his initial views on , a sport his father played amid household tensions. A key early mentor was Russell "Sox" Walseth, former University of Colorado women's basketball coach, who provided critical feedback on Reilly's initial stories and offered paternal guidance, influencing his emphasis on human-interest narratives over mere game recaps. This hands-on mentorship, combined with immersion in local sports coverage, honed Reilly's distinctive voice, prioritizing character-driven reporting from the outset of his professional development.

Professional Career

Early Journalism Roles

Reilly began his journalism career in 1979 at the Boulder Daily Camera, his hometown newspaper in , while a sophomore at the . His initial responsibilities included taking phoned-in high school scores, a entry-level task that provided exposure to local sports reporting. Over the next two years, he advanced to writing sports features and columns, often working extensive hours alongside his studies; he graduated from the in 1981. Following graduation, Reilly joined the Denver Post in 1981 as a sports writer, where he contributed to coverage of regional athletics for two years. During this period, he honed skills in , including early assignments on women's basketball. In 1983, he moved to the Los Angeles Times as a writer, spending two years there before transitioning to national outlets; this role exposed him to broader West Coast sports stories amid the paper's growing prominence in the 1980s. These early positions at local and mid-sized dailies built foundational experience in deadline-driven , emphasizing concise, engaging narratives over the feature-length pieces that would later define his career.

Sports Illustrated Era

Reilly joined Sports Illustrated in 1985, contributing feature articles and columns that emphasized narrative storytelling and humor amid sports events. His work during this 22-year tenure elevated the magazine's back-page content, particularly through the "Life of Reilly" column, which he authored from approximately 1997 to 2007 and marked the first signed in the publication's history. This column, appearing on the magazine's final page, blended personal anecdotes, athlete profiles, and satirical takes on sports culture, attracting a wide readership for its accessible wit and avoidance of overly technical analysis. Reilly's prominence at coincided with numerous accolades, including 10 National Sportswriter of the Year awards since 1991, with five in the six years preceding 2005. These honors, voted by peers in the Sports Editors organization, recognized his consistent output of engaging, deadline-driven pieces that humanized athletes and critiqued institutional excesses in sports. By the mid-2000s, he held the highest annual contract in Time Inc. history at $1 million, reflecting his commercial value to the magazine amid competition from emerging digital media. Notable contributions included profiles of underdog stories and exposés on sports' absurdities, such as his 1998 column highlighting systemic flaws in athletics under the guise of "What's Wrong About Sports." Reilly's style prioritized firsthand reporting—often involving travel to events and interviews with figures from to obscure caddies—over aggregated data, fostering reader loyalty through vivid, character-driven narratives. His departure in 2007, after over 400 issues, stemmed from a desire for new platforms, though he briefly returned for select pieces in later years. This era solidified Reilly's reputation as a bridge between traditional print journalism and broader cultural commentary on athletics.

ESPN and Golf Digest Periods

Reilly joined ESPN in 2008 as a columnist for and , where he continued his "Life of Reilly" column featuring personal essays on sports figures, events, and broader life lessons. His work at ESPN emphasized human-interest stories, often blending humor with emotional depth, such as profiles on athletes' personal struggles and triumphs. Reilly also expanded into television, producing essay segments for ESPN's and other programs, reaching a broader beyond print. During his ESPN tenure, which spanned from 2008 to mid-2014, Reilly covered major sports events, including tournaments, where he analyzed player performances and course challenges with his characteristic wit. For example, in , he detailed his pursuit of a hole-in-one across multiple rounds, highlighting the rarity and statistical improbability of the feat—estimated at 12,500-to-1 odds for an average golfer. His columns occasionally critiqued sports culture, such as excessive commercialization or athlete behavior, but maintained a focus on telling over polemics. Reilly announced his departure from weekly columns in March 2014, publishing his final piece on June 10, 2014, in which he defended the intrinsic value of sports against detractors who dismissed them as trivial. Effective July 1, 2014, he shifted to part-time status at to prioritize television production and other projects, ending his regular print contributions after six years. Post-ESPN, Reilly refocused on golf-specific journalism, becoming a frequent contributor to with articles on course architecture, player anecdotes, and tournament previews. In a May 2022 feature, he ranked and described 18 standout holes from courses like Augusta National and Pebble Beach, drawing from decades of personal play and observation to emphasize strategic and historical elements. His work often intersected with book promotions, such as discussions of Phil Mickelson's career decisions and Greg Norman's involvement in a 2022 tied to the magazine. This phase, extending into the 2020s, aligned with Reilly's longstanding affinity for , evidenced by books like Commander in Cheat (2019), which examined Donald Trump's habits based on eyewitness accounts from over 30 rounds, alleging scorecard alterations and mulligans. Reilly's contributions to prioritized experiential reporting over advocacy, though they occasionally sparked debate on player ethics.

Later Independent Work

After retiring from his ESPN column in March 2014 to pursue books and screenplays, Reilly shifted to independent authorship and related endeavors. In April 2019, he published Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump, a nonfiction examination of 's relationship with , drawing on interviews with over 100 sources including caddies, club members, and playing partners to allege repeated instances of rule-bending and score manipulation by Trump on courses he owns or frequents. The book, released by , reached number three on the New York Times bestseller list and prompted public rebuttals from Trump, who dismissed the accounts as fabrications by disgruntled individuals. Reilly's 2022 release, So Help Me Golf (published by Blue Rider Press), compiles personal essays on his lifelong affinity for , covering escapades like caddying for celebrities and attempts to conquer notorious holes, presented in his characteristic humorous and anecdotal style. Beyond writing, Reilly has pursued keynote speaking engagements on , culture, and , leveraging his career insights for corporate and motivational audiences. He has contributed occasional freelance pieces to outlets like , such as a 2022 ranking of memorable golf holes he has played.

Awards and Recognition

Major Journalism Awards

Reilly has been named National Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association eleven times, in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006, a record surpassed only by Jim Murray's fourteen wins. In 2009, he received the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism from the Denver Press Club, an honor previously given to figures including , , and . Reilly also earned the Page One Award from the New York Newspaper Guild for best magazine story, recognizing excellence in his Sports Illustrated contributions.

Hall of Fame Inductions

Reilly was inducted into the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (NSSA) Hall of Fame on June 9, 2014, in recognition of his extensive contributions to , including his tenure as a columnist for and ESPN.com. The induction ceremony, held in , featured former quarterback presenting Reilly, highlighting their personal connection from Reilly's coverage of Elway's career and shared experiences in . This honor capped a career marked by 11 NSSA National Sportswriter of the Year awards, spanning his work from the late onward. The NSSA selection process emphasized Reilly's innovative column-writing style, which blended humor, investigative depth, and athlete profiles, influencing generations of sportswriters. His induction alongside broadcaster underscored the association's recognition of multimedia excellence in sports media, though Reilly's plaque specifically celebrated his print and digital output, such as the iconic "Life of Reilly" columns. No other Hall of Fame inductions for Reilly are documented in records.

Writing Style and Editorial Perspectives

Signature Style and Techniques

Reilly's signature style in emphasized wit, brevity, and narrative drive, often blending humor with poignant human insights to engage readers beyond mere game recaps. His columns, such as those in the "Life of Reilly" series at , featured breezy, conversational prose influenced by writers like Jim Murray and , prioritizing originality by avoiding clichéd phrasing—"never write a you’ve already read." This approach allowed him to infuse pieces with self-deprecating anecdotes and light-hearted observations, aiming for roughly "three laughs per page" while uncovering emotional undercurrents in athletic pursuits. A core technique was structuring columns akin to a compact film: introducing a relatable protagonist, escalating tension through crisis—"set that person's house on fire"—and resolving with redemption or revelation, often drawn from overlooked figures like rather than headliners. He advocated relentless reporting, conducting upwards of 50 interviews per and pursuing leads "where the rhinos are" to unearth authentic details, eschewing overwriting by minimizing adjectives and adverbs in favor of vivid, precise verbs. Short, punchy sentences, frequently grouped in threes for rhythmic transitions, accelerated pacing and mirrored the urgency of sports, as seen in his fighter jet ride account where clipped phrasing built immediacy: "I was pumped. I was thrilled. I was toast!" Reilly's methods also included bold opinionating—"say what you think"—and observational acuity, urging writers to "look around, stupid" for untold angles in familiar settings, while dismissing rigid formulas: "Ignore all ." This flexibility enabled shifts from uproarious , like timelines of awkward encounters, to empathetic profiles highlighting athletes' and under pressure. His persistence addressed the initial drudgery of drafting—"it sucks before you start"—through iterative refinement, ensuring pieces provoked thought and amusement without unnecessary elaboration.

Key Editorial Stances and Columns

Reilly's columns frequently emphasized integrity in , particularly decrying and performance-enhancing drugs. In a July 8, 2002, Sports Illustrated piece titled "Excuse Me for Asking," he publicly challenged Chicago Cubs outfielder to undergo an immediate steroid test after Sosa had claimed he would volunteer for testing to dispel rumors. Reilly arrived at with a lab referral card in hand, but Sosa refused, responding angrily and later labeling the suggestion "unprofessional." Reilly noted that while he doubted Sosa was using steroids, the refusal fueled speculation and undermined efforts to clean up . He expressed repeated concerns over ' conduct, both on and off the course, arguing it eroded the golfer's role model status and golf's standards of decorum. In a March 29, 2013, ESPN column, Reilly critiqued Woods' Nike advertisement apologizing for , calling it insufficient contrition and more performative than substantive, especially given Woods' prior promises of change. Earlier pieces lambasted Woods' on-course outbursts, including club-throwing and , asserting that without broadcast delays, such behavior would alienate audiences and contradict golf's gentlemanly . Reilly also highlighted Woods' perceived stinginess with tips to staff, framing it as inconsistent with . On college athletics, Reilly advocated for compensating athletes, portraying the NCAA's amateurism rules as exploitative hypocrisy that enriched institutions while restricting players. An August 14, 2013, ESPN column on A&M quarterback 's underscored how NCAA bylaws allowed universities, coaches, and apparel firms to profit massively from athletes' likenesses while penalizing the athletes themselves for minor gains. He argued this system incentivized rule-breaking and failed to reflect the professional realities of revenue-generating sports like and . Across his "Life of Reilly" back-page columns in (1997–2007) and ESPN tenure, Reilly consistently promoted ethical play and character over mere victory, using humor and anecdotes to critique scandals from doping to behavioral lapses. His June 10, 2014, farewell ESPN column reflected on sports' deeper lessons in resilience and honesty, drawn from decades of profiling figures who embodied or betrayed these ideals.

Philanthropic Efforts

Founding of Nothing But Nets

In 2006, sports journalist Rick Reilly became aware of malaria's devastating impact in after viewing a documentary during a trip to , which highlighted the disease's toll on children lacking protective bed nets. Motivated by this, Reilly penned a column titled "Nothing But Nets" for , published on May 1, 2006, in which he proposed a simple solution: donating $10 per insecticide-treated to shield families from the mosquito vector. In the piece, Reilly challenged readers to contribute directly via the , framing it as an accessible way to combat a preventable killer that claimed over one million lives annually at the time, mostly young children. The column's direct appeal—urging individuals to "send $10 to the U.N. Foundation"—elicited an overwhelming response, with donations surging as readers responded to Reilly's call for action rather than bureaucratic aid. This public outpouring prompted the to formalize the initiative as the Nothing But Nets campaign, partnering with organizations like the initiative to procure, distribute, and educate on net usage in endemic regions such as . Reilly's involvement extended beyond writing; he advocated for the campaign's structure, emphasizing cost-effectiveness—nets costing under $10 each when bought in bulk—and measurable impact, with each net projected to protect two people for up to four years. The campaign officially launched on November 14, 2006, under the slogan "Join the Fight. Stop ," with Reilly credited as its founder for sparking the momentum through his column. Early efforts focused on high-burden areas, including initial net shipments to in December 2006, where Reilly personally visited communities to witness distribution and usage training. By emphasizing empirical prevention over treatment, the founding underscored causal realism in : nets reduced incidence by up to 50% in targeted households per contemporary studies from the .

Impact and Ongoing Involvement

The Nothing But Nets campaign, catalyzed by Rick Reilly's May 1, 2006, Sports Illustrated column challenging readers to donate $10 per insecticide-treated bed net, has distributed nets and related malaria prevention tools to protect over 42 million people, primarily children and pregnant women in , since its launch later that year by the . The initiative mobilized a network of over 350,000 supporters and partners, including collaborations with the NBA and , fostering widespread public donations and advocacy that amplified U.S. government funding for global programs. By emphasizing simple, cost-effective interventions like nets costing $4–$6 each (plus delivery and installation), the campaign contributed to measurable reductions in incidence in targeted regions, aligning with broader efforts that certified several countries malaria-free during its run. In recognition of its efficacy, Nothing But Nets received awards for fundraising innovation, underscoring its role in bridging celebrity endorsements with humanitarian outcomes. Rebranded as United to Beat Malaria in 2022, the effort persists under the UN Foundation, advocating for sustained international funding amid threats like insecticide resistance and climate impacts on mosquito vectors, with ongoing distributions and education targeting refugees and remote communities. Reilly maintains a legacy connection through , where he credits the campaign with saving lives via net deployment in high-burden areas, though operational leadership has transitioned to the foundation's staff.

Published Works

Major Books and Their Themes

Rick Reilly's literary output prominently features golf-themed novels and nonfiction, often blending humor, satire, and insider critique of sports culture. His debut novel, Missing Links (Doubleday, 1996), follows four amateur golfers from a dilapidated public course who wager against members of an elite private club to gain access, highlighting themes of disparity, the democratizing allure of , and the absurdity of social hierarchies in the sport. The book satirizes pretentious elites while celebrating underdog resilience, drawing on Reilly's observations of golf's stratified world. The sequel, Shanks for Nothing (Doubleday, 2006), extends the narrative with the protagonists navigating further schemes involving a stolen Picasso and intrigue, emphasizing themes of , under , and the redemptive of athletics. Critics noted its crude humor tempered by underlying sweetness, reinforcing Reilly's technique of using as a lens for human folly and camaraderie. In nonfiction, Who's Your Caddy? (Doubleday, 2007) recounts Reilly's experiences caddying for celebrities like , , and pros such as John Daly, exploring themes of integrity, ego, and the unvarnished personalities behind golf's glamour. The book underscores sportsmanship's erosion amid fame, with anecdotes illustrating how caddying reveals character flaws and virtues in high-stakes play. Commander in Cheat: How Explains (Hachette Books, 2019) argues that Donald 's habitual cheating on the course—allegedly moving balls, claiming unearned handicaps, and falsifying scores—mirrors broader patterns of , using over 200 eyewitness accounts to portray as a character test fails. Reilly posits this as emblematic of 's win-at-all-costs ethos, though the claims rely on sourced testimonies rather than undisputed records, reflecting the author's critical stance on ethical lapses in . More recently, So Help Me Golf (Blue Rider Press, 2022) compiles anecdotes on golf luminaries like and , delving into themes of obsession, innovation, and the game's cultural impact through historical vignettes and personal reflections. It celebrates golf's quirks while critiquing its excesses, solidifying Reilly's oeuvre as a chronicle of the sport's triumphs and hypocrisies.

Notable Columns and Anthologies

Reilly's signature "Life of Reilly" column, which debuted in 1998 and ran weekly on the back page of until 2007, marked the magazine's first signed opinion column and blended humor, human interest, and sports commentary. Over its decade-long run, the column drew on Reilly's experiences to explore athletes' triumphs and failures, often emphasizing personal resilience and the absurdities of competition. Among the column's standout pieces, "Nothing But Nets," published on May 1, 2006, called on readers to donate $10 each for anti-malaria bed nets in , sparking a widespread philanthropic drive that distributed millions of nets. "The Silent Treatment," from November 22, 2004, profiled the football team at the California School for the Deaf-Riverside, highlighting their communication challenges and team spirit without relying on verbal cues. Earlier works like "Driven Mad" (February 23, 1998) detailed golfer Ian Baker-Finch's mental collapse following his 1991 victory, underscoring the psychological toll of elite performance. "Twas the Fight Before Christmas" (December 27, 1999) recounted boxer Billy Miske's final bout against Bill Brennan in 1923, driven by the need to secure his family's financial future despite terminal illness. Reilly's columns were later compiled into several anthologies, preserving their mix of wit and insight. The Life of Reilly: The Best of Sports Illustrated's Rick Reilly (2005), a New York Times bestseller, gathered over 60 selected stories, columns, and unpublished essays spanning unforgettable sporting moments. Hate Mail from Cheerleaders: And Other Adventures from the Life of Reilly (2007) included 100 of his favored recent columns, each updated with postscripts, and featured an introduction by Lance Armstrong. Later, Tiger, Meet My Sister … and Other Things I Probably Shouldn't Have Said (2014) anthologized provocative essays from his ESPN tenure, revisiting topics with added commentary on their enduring relevance. These volumes, totaling hundreds of pieces, reflect Reilly's consistent focus on narrative-driven journalism over rote game recaps.

Media Contributions

Film and Screenwriting

Reilly co-wrote the screenplay for Leatherheads (2008), a period comedy-drama directed by and starring George Clooney, alongside co-writer Duncan Brantley. The film portrays the fictionalized efforts of a cash-strapped professional football team in the 1920s to recruit a college All-American amid the nascent NFL's transition from roughhouse barnstorming to organized league play, drawing stylistic influences from 1930s and 1940s screwball comedies like The Thin Man. Released on April 4, 2008, it featured Renée Zellweger and John Krasinski in lead roles and earned mixed critical reception, with a 51% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 156 reviews, while grossing approximately $41 million worldwide against a $31 million budget. The script originated from Reilly's research into early figures, particularly his 2008 Sports Illustrated profile on Hall of Famer Johnny "Blood" McNally, a flamboyant for the whose exploits informed the film's roguish team dynamics and era-specific chaos. Reilly developed the concept into a in the early , which he sold after initial interest from actors including and , before Clooney's acquired it in 2006 for production. In a , Reilly described the process as arduous, noting he had sold only this one to despite his sports writing background providing authentic source material. Beyond , Reilly received story credits on films like (2006), a biographical sports drama about NFL underdog Vince Papale, and contributed to adaptations such as Missing Links (1999), a golf comedy based loosely on his novel of the same name, though his primary screenwriting role remains the Clooney project. These efforts reflect Reilly's extension of sports journalism into narrative fiction, leveraging historical anecdotes for cinematic appeal without further major screenplay sales documented as of 2025.

Television Appearances and Essays

Reilly hosted the ESPN series Homecoming with Rick Reilly from April 2009 to December 2010, producing one-on-one interviews with athletes filmed in their hometowns to explore personal roots and career reflections. Episodes featured guests including , , , and , with the format emphasizing intimate, location-specific discussions rather than studio settings. From 2008 to 2015, Reilly contributed human-interest features, opinion essays, and commentary segments to ESPN's , often focusing on players' off-field stories or broader sports insights, such as a 2013 piece reevaluating Ray Lewis's character after closer collaboration. In March 2014, ESPN announced Reilly would prioritize these television responsibilities starting July 1, discontinuing his weekly column to produce more on-air content for the program. His work included field-reported vignettes, like a feature on player involving unconventional elements such as a tutu to highlight team dynamics. Reilly made occasional guest appearances on other ESPN and network programs, including as a guest co-host on and self appearances on and . His television essays often extended his column-style commentary, blending narrative storytelling with analysis, as seen in contributions tying written opinions—such as a 2012 defense of Tim Tebow's playing style and faith—to on-air discussions. These pieces prioritized personal anecdotes and contrarian views over conventional game recaps, aligning with Reilly's established approach in print.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Reilly was first married to Linda Campbell on December 30, 1983. The couple had three children: sons Kellen and , and daughter Rae. They divorced on April 20, 2005, and shared custody of the children thereafter. On October 14, 2008, Reilly married Puchniarz in a private ceremony attended only by the couple and an officiant. Puchniarz, who was adopted, discovered part of her biological family on the in at age 36. By 2020, one of Reilly's sons, along with the son's wife and their one-year-old child, had moved in with Reilly and Puchniarz, allowing the couple to assist with childcare during weekdays.

Hobbies and Lifestyle

Reilly maintains an active lifestyle centered on outdoor pursuits and physical activities, reflecting his Colorado roots and affinity for adventure sports. He resides primarily in , , where he engages in and during winter months, taking advantage of the region's mountainous terrain. Additionally, serves as a key interest, allowing him to explore trails in the Rocky Mountain area. His coastal time in , complements this with pursuits like , underscoring a year-round commitment to water-based recreation. Beyond athletics, Reilly dabbles in creative and performative hobbies such as —self-described as amateur—and practicing magic tricks, which provide outlets for personal expression outside his professional writing. He also participates in informal games, often in casual "back-alley" settings, maintaining a connection to team sports from his earlier years. remains a profound personal passion for Reilly, extending far beyond his career as a ; he credits the game with shaping life lessons from childhood, including resilience and focus, and continues to play recreationally worldwide, from to courses with notable figures. This dedication manifests in his low personal scores and pursuit of aces, blending competition with leisure in a lifestyle that prioritizes the sport's therapeutic and social elements.

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