Jim McKay, 86, a longtime television sports journalist, has died of natural causes in Maryland, according to a statement from the McKay family.
McKay is best known for hosting “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” and 12 Olympic Games.
McKay won numerous awards for journalism, including the George Polk Memorial Award and two Emmys — one for his sports coverage, the other for his news reporting — for his work at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which were tragically affected by the Black September terrorists’ attack on the Israeli athletes in the Olympic Village.
“There are no superlatives that can adequately honor Jim McKay. He meant so much to so many people. He was a founding father of sports television, one of the most respected commentators in the history of broadcasting and journalism,” ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer said in a statement.
In 1974, I was returning to the US from Berlin and had to change planes at Heathrow. As I was sitting in the Ambassador Club killing time, Mr. McKay came in and ended up sitting across from me. I was in uniform and he made a very nice comment about duty and service then asked me where I was stationed. When I told him, a look of pain came onto his face and he slumped a bit in his seat. I told him that I respected the job he had done in Munich and that started him talking about his feelings at the time and how the terrorist killings had affected his life since. It was very moving and perhaps was a bit of a catharsis for him. My flight was called before his and I shook his hand and wished him God’s peace. His parting comment was: “I wish He would grant it.”
Terrific story, Bob. Thanks for sharing it.
It reminded me that even the successful, famous and highly esteemed have heartaches and personal struggles just like us common folk.