John Feinstein: a storyteller who brought sports to life passes away at 69

John Feinstein, one of the most prolific and respected sports writers of his generation, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday at the age of 69. His passing marks the end of a storied career that spanned decades and touched countless readers, athletes, and fellow journalists. Feinstein was not just a writer; he was a storyteller who delved deep into the human side of sports, bringing readers closer to the games and the people who played them.

His brother, Robert Feinstein, discovered him at his home in McLean, Virginia. Feinstein died of natural causes but remained active until his final days, having just filed a column for The Washington Post about Michigan State coach Tom Izzo earlier in the week.

Feinstein was a reporter for The Washington Post from 1977 to 1991 and continued as a contributing columnist. He also worked with NPR, ESPN, and the Golf Channel, in addition to hosting satellite radio programs on SiriusXM. His career was defined by his deep passion for sports and his ability to connect readers with the emotions, struggles, and triumphs of athletes and coaches alike.

“He was very passionate about things,” his brother Robert recalled. “People either loved him or hated him — and equally strongly.”

Unlike many sports journalists who focused solely on statistics and game analysis, Feinstein had a unique ability to humanize his subjects. Whether covering basketball, football, or golf, he understood that the real stories often happened off the court, in the locker room, or in the quiet moments of self-reflection athletes experienced away from the spotlight.

Though he authored more than 40 books, Feinstein is best remembered for his groundbreaking work A Season on the Brink (1986), an unprecedented deep dive into college basketball that followed coach Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers. His full-season access to Knight’s program gave fans a never-before-seen look at the volatile yet brilliant coach. The book wasn’t just about basketball; it was about leadership, pressure, and the often complicated relationships between coaches and players.

At a time when sports reporting was largely about post-game interviews and box scores, A Season on the Brink transformed how journalists approached their craft. It set the standard for modern sports books, proving that behind every game was a deeper story waiting to be told.

Feinstein’s impact stretched beyond college basketball. His 1995 book A Good Walk Spoiled became one of the most insightful works ever written about professional golf, chronicling the lives and struggles of players on the PGA Tour. He also captured the intensity of the Army-Navy football rivalry in A Civil War (1996), a book that led to a long tenure as a radio commentator for Navy football.

His last book, The Ancient Eight, explored Ivy League football and was published in 2024. He also wrote several novels aimed at young sports fans, introducing the next generation to the power of storytelling in athletics.

Feinstein’s work influenced countless journalists, broadcasters, and sports enthusiasts. His writing was detailed, compelling, and often personal. He understood that sports were more than just games—they were narratives of ambition, heartbreak, perseverance, and redemption.

His ability to capture the essence of a moment, whether in a packed stadium or a quiet training session, made his writing stand out. His respect for his subjects, even when he wrote about their flaws, was evident in every page he published.

John Feinstein is survived by his wife Christine, son Danny, daughters Brigid and Jayne, as well as his siblings Robert and Margaret. His words will live on, continuing to inspire those who read them and reminding sports fans that behind every statistic, there is a story waiting to be told.