ESPN Dallas writer RICHARD DURRETT died yesterday at the age of 38. Prior to joining ESPN in September ’09, Durrett spent nine years at the Dallas Morning News. He also had a stint as sports editor for the Denton Record-Chronicle in Texas. Durrett is survived by his wife, KELLY, and two children (Mult.). ESPN VP and Editorial Dir for Digital & Print PATRICK STIEGMAN said Durrett was “a dedicated colleague and friend who was extremely respected and well-liked. He was known for creativity and an exceptional work ethic." (ESPN.com, 6/17). MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan notes the Rangers were Durrett’s “main beat, but his tremendous versatility allowed him to write with vigor and clarity on many other sports, including golf, hockey, auto racing and college sports” (MLB.com, 6/18). In Dallas, Barry Horn notes when ERIC NADEL was “forced to leave the Rangers radio booth on a road trip to return home last month for personal reasons, Durrett, who worked team webcasts in spring training, filled in alongside MATT HICKS.” Durrett also has been “a prime contributor to ESPN’s national baseball coverage in print and on broadcasts this season” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/18). ESPN DALLAS' Tim McMahon writes the "only criticism I ever heard or had of my good friend and ESPNDallas.com colleague ... was that he was just too darn nice for this business." Durrett "did not have a shred of cynicism in him, which is about as rare and surprising in the sports media world as BENGIE MOLINA hitting for the cycle was in baseball, a sport Durrett loved and covered with impeccable integrity, professionalism and skill in print, on radio and on television." There is "not a more versatile sports journalist in the Dallas market than Durrett, who expertly covered football, basketball, hockey, motorsports and golf in addition to baseball during his career" (ESPNDALLAS.com, 6/18).
TWITTER REAX: There was abundance of reaction to Durrett's sudden passing on Twitter. ESPN's Jayson Stark wrote, "I'm crushed by the passing of Richard Durrett. I was always blown away by his energy, work ethic & relentlessly upbeat take on life. So sad." FS1's Mike Hill wrote, "I'm in shock right now & so saddened by the news of Richard Durrett's death. A tremendous man & 1 of the nicest guys you'd ever meet." Fox Sports' Jon Morosi: "Richard Durrett was a great and tremendously versatile journalist, one of the kindest people I've met. This is so tragic." ESPN's Karl Ravech wrote, "Richard Durrett was as genuinely funny.. sincere and into his work as anyone I have come across in my 20 years. I will miss him." Astros Dir of Pro Scouting Kevin Goldstein wrote, "Shocked by the news of Richard Durrett's passing. Every interaction I had w/ him was warm, friendly, and welcoming. A rare trio these days." NFL Network's Albert Breer: "Shocked to hear about the passing of old DMN colleague Richard Durrett. Can't be many nicer people in our business."
