You may remember Bryan Burwell from his six years on Inside the NFL or many appearances on ESPN’s Sunday morning show The Sports Reporters. St. Louis readers know him as a columnist for the Post-Dispatch and a talk show host for the afternoon show on CBS Sports 920. Burwell passed away early Thursday after being stricken by cancer at 59.
Burwell wrote for a number of newspapers including USA Today, the New York Daily News and Newsday. He moved to St. Louis in 2002 after his stint on HBO after joined the Post-Dispatch to write regular columns. Burwell won several awards and was named one of the Top 10 sports columnists by the Associated Press Spots Editors in 2007.
Reaction to Burwell’s death from St. Louis throughout the country was rather swift. From fellow writers to athletes, to a person Burwell was well-respected:
You will be missed, Bryan Burwell. By many people.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) December 4, 2014
This is what was so admirable about Burwell. This is from Rams training camp in the summer.>>>>> pic.twitter.com/dvYjCGRXy6
— Peter King (@peter_king) December 4, 2014
Sad to here the passing of Bryan Burwell, when I say GREAT man, great man.. God now has his Editor in Chief..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) December 4, 2014
Wow. Absolutely floored to wake up to news of the great Bryan Burwell. RIP my man. Part of our Hack Pack crew in The Longest Yard. So sad
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 4, 2014
Truly saddened by the passing of Bryan Burwell: pic.twitter.com/U3yNK6mRj1
— Steven Jackson (@sj39) December 4, 2014
Damn sad to hear of Bryan Burwell's passing. A great journalist, and as kind and thoughtful a press-box-mate as one could want. RIP pal….
— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliott32) December 4, 2014
This breaks my heart. Loved him RT "@espnmikes: ESPN remembers Sports Reporter panelist & journalist Bryan Burwell: http://t.co/zJd9oy2Quk”
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) December 4, 2014
Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family of Bryan Burwell. Our press box has lost a rare talent & person. You will be missed, Bryan.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 4, 2014
RIP to Bryan Burwell. I was lucky to have him as a mentor and privileged to have him as a friend. The sports world will miss his voice
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) December 4, 2014
Rest in peace Bryan Burwell. Bryan was an important part of the fabric of St Louis and the St Louis sports scene and he will be missed.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) December 4, 2014
Absolutely stunned and devastated to learn of Bryan Burwell's passing. He exemplified class and professionalism in journalism. RIP
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 4, 2014
RIP, Bryan Burwell. A gentleman with class.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2014
Outgoing Major League Commissioner Bud Selig issued this statement:
“Like so many others in the sports community today, I am shocked and saddened by the passing of respected journalist Bryan Burwell. From his recent coverage of the Cardinals to chronicling the National Pastime as a whole, Bryan’s passion and professionalism were evident throughout his long and distinguished sports media career.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball and our 30 Clubs, I extend my deepest condolences to Bryan’s wife Dawn, his daughter Victoria, his readers and his many friends throughout our game.”
Burwell also made appearances on ESPN’s The Sports Reporters in addition to his work at the Post-Dispatch and St. Louis sports radio. He leaves behind a wife and daughter. Burwell was one of the giants in sportswriting and he will be missed.
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About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.