John Feinstein, a legendary sportswriter and bestselling author, passed away on Thursday, unexpectedly, at the age of 69. He died of natural causes at his brother’s home in McLean, Virginia. Sadly, it was his brother, Robert, who discovered his body. Robert describes his brother as “passionate.” “He was very passionate about things,” Robert Feinstein said. “People either loved him or hated him — and equally strongly.”

Feinstein was a beloved and respected columnist, most notably for The Washington Post, but his career began as a night police reporter in 1977. Though he made his name covering college basketball, Feinstein’s versatility shone through in his work across all sports—golf, college football, and the Olympics.

He was also a regular contributor to Golf Digest and had a steady presence on radio, including a long-running role on National Public Radio. Feinstein’s writing was known for its depth, insight, and raw honesty. His love for sports and his unique voice earned him a devoted following. Just hours before his death, a column by Feinstein on Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was published in The Post—a fitting final tribute to his unyielding dedication to his craft.

A few hours after his death, the PGA Tour released an official statement; “The PGA TOUR extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of John Feinstein.” Feinstein spent five decades chronicling the world of golf, particularly the PGA TOUR.  He was known for his in-depth reporting and his genuine passion for the game. One of his most well-known works, A Good Walk Spoiled, became a New York Times bestseller in 1995.

The book offered a behind-the-scenes look at life on the PGA TOUR, following players like Billy Andrade, Paul Azinger, Brad Faxon, Paul Goydos, Davis Love III, Greg Norman, Nick Price, and Tom Watson, among others. It was a testament to Feinstein’s ability to capture the essence of golf, his love for the sport, and the personality that brought it to life. As the PGA TOUR stated, “John’s contributions to the game were immense, and his legacy will live on through his writing and the countless players he inspired.” The TOUR mourns the loss of a great writer, friend, and supporter of the sport.

Tom Watson was also stunned to hear the news. He took to X to express his emotions: “One of our sports world’s finest writers, John Feinstein, sadly left us today. His innate ability to describe the inner workings and complexities of the players, teams, and coaches about which he wrote, left us readers and fans with much greater understanding of his subjects. He was always an enjoyable read, and we will sorely miss him.”

Alan Shipnuck, known for spending three decades on the golf beat for SI, Golf Magazine, and the Fire Pit Collective, and author of 9 books, was also taken aback by the news. “Sad day. For three decades, I enjoyed hearing J. Feinstein hold court in assorted press rooms. He was a character and a throwback. I admired his prolificacy and especially his big brass ones,” he wrote on X.

John Feinstein leaves behind an incredible legacy as one of the most influential sportswriters of his generation. His contributions to sports journalism and his ability to make every subject come to life through his words will be deeply missed.

John Feinstein’s journey as a sportswriter

John Feinstein authored 48 books throughout his illustrious career, with 23 of them reaching the New York Times bestseller list, as highlighted on his website. His first book, A Season on the Brink, which captured the 1985-86 Indiana University basketball season, catapulted him into the spotlight. The book, which spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on the bestseller list, focused on the coaching methods of Bob Knight and was later adapted into an ESPN film.

His other works include A Good Walk Spoiled, which talked about life on the PGA Tour during the 1994-95 season and became a bestseller. A Civil War, a deeply insightful exploration of the Army-Navy football rivalry, is on the list, too. Interestingly,  Feinstein authored more than a dozen teen mystery novels. Just last year, Feinstein published The Ancient Eight, a book about Ivy League football.

Feinstein’s remarkable contributions to sports journalism earned him numerous accolades, including the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. He was also inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Christine; their children Danny, Brigid, and Jayne; as well as his brother Robert and his sister, Margaret.