Two further long-time and prominent sports journalists lost their jobs this week. That would be Dwain Price and Charean Williams (seen at left and right above, respectively) of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, who were both laid off. Williams was at the paper for 18 years and had covered the Cowboys and the NFL for 23 years in total, and is a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter and a past president of the Football Writers of America, while Price spent 26 years at the paper and was most recently their Mavericks’ beat writer. Both announced their departures on Twitter, and they received plenty of praise from national media figures. First, here’s Williams’ announcement and responses to it:
I have been laid off from the FW Star-Telegram, my employer since 1999. Life sometimes throws you a curve. I just have to learn to hit it.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) May 16, 2017
@NFLCharean One of the finest people I’ve EVER worked with in our business. Looking forward to her next chapter.
— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) May 16, 2017
@NFLCharean No idea what they are thinking. One of the best — and one of my personal favorites — in our biz. We need more like you, Cherry, not fewer.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) May 16, 2017
@NFLCharean Sorry to hear that Charean.. I really enjoy your work. Hate to see what is happening in our industry..Best of luck
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) May 16, 2017
@NFLCharean Have always appreciated your work and your generosity Charean. Wish you the best
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) May 16, 2017
@NFLCharean This business makes me sad. You are one of the best and good luck in your next chapter!
— Jane McManus (@janesports) May 16, 2017
It’s a big club @NFLCharean. No reflection on your work. Oh, and this is why I’ve cancelled our @startelegram subscription https://t.co/6OI6dIn33e
— Ed Werder (@EdwerderRFA) May 16, 2017
And Price’s announcement, and some of the responses he received:
After 26 years, I was laid off by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today. Thanks to my great bosses and co-workers 4 the good times. God Bless.
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) May 16, 2017
@DwainPrice So sorry to hear, D. You have been a class act for a long time and done great work. Hope you find something new soon!
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) May 16, 2017
@DwainPrice really hate to hear that, dwain. hope you’re doing as well as possible under the circumstances. i know you’ll prosper regardless of this.
— Joel D. Anderson (@byjoelanderson) May 16, 2017
@DwainPrice I am sorry to hear this. You have been a friend and always looked out for me. God Bless.
— Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) May 16, 2017
This was tough…great man..great guy…great friend…great dresser..the Star-Telegram is a lesser place without Dwain Price…26 years man https://t.co/v9266YSOvF
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) May 16, 2017
@DwainPrice So sorry to hear this. Hang in there Dwain.
— Lang Whitaker (@langwhitaker) May 16, 2017
Star-Telegram Rangers beat writer Jeff Wilson also had a nice tribute for Price:
I'll never forget how kind Dwain was to everyone at the paper, especially an 18-year-old agate clerk. https://t.co/Dkx04ZBaF7
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) May 16, 2017
This is just the latest sad story about the Star-Telegram‘s sports section, as long-time sports editor Celeste Williams (no relation to Charean; Celeste Williams ran the section for nearly two decades, most recently as the managing editor for sports and features) passed away at 65 last week after months of battling cancer. She was thoughtfully remembered by colleagues like Mac Engel.
The Star-Telegram‘s sports coverage has long won plenty of plaudits, including six top-10 finishes in APSE awards for daily sections, five for special sections and two for Sunday sections, all in the highest circulation category and all between 2001-07 (they stopped entering after 2007 thanks to layoffs). Celeste Williams, Chareen Williams and Dwain Price were all part of those awards, and part of providing excellent sports coverage to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for decades. It’s going to be very tough for the paper to replace them.
About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.