Longtime Detroit Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski dies at age 51
Longtime Detroit Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski died this morning, the Grand Rapids Press reported. Kowalski, who covered the Lions for Booth Newspapers, including AnnArbor.com, was 51.
Tom Kowalski
Kowalski had been with Booth Newspapers since 1997 and covered the Lions before that with the Oakland Press. He was a regular on TV and radio.
From the Grand Rapids Press article:
(Grand Rapids) Press Sports Editor Mary Ullmer, who was to attend a Detroit Tigers baseball game with Kowalski this evening, said she and his colleagues are "stunned and saddened to hear of Tom's sudden passing.
"Tom and I developed a wonderful working relationship through the years," Ullmer said. "We had a simple understanding: He was the Lions and NFL expert, I was the boss. While we certainly bumped heads along the way, there was no question we had a mutual respect for one another.
"We were looking forward to working with him on another great season of Lions coverage, and particularly so with this year's team. Our thoughts and prayers are with his fiancee, Diane, and his family at this time."
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
The testimonials coming from his colleagues, the Detroit Lions players and his loyal readers says a lot of positive, impressive things about Tom Kowalski. It's always saddening when we lose someone as well liked and with that much ability.
squidlover
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.
I was crushed when I first heard this. Tom had been a friend of mine for nearly 20 years. I have followed the Lions for 30 years and I always enjoyed talking about the Lions with Tom. Not only were his articles and analyses of the Lions very well written and articulate, but he was a great guy to know away from football. I always saw him treat others as a close friend. You will be greatly missed by Lions fans everywhere, Killer. You will be missed even more by the ones who were fortunate enough to know you personally.
1st Down
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.
Geeze....im so sorry to hear this about Killer...everyone has read his work over the years.. 51 is far to young for a guy to go in his prime like that...guess you never know when its your time.. RIP Killer.... hope the Lions make the playoffs this year in your honor.
81wolverine
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
This is VERY sad news. Having followed the Lions for many years and growing up in the Detroit area, I have developed a very jaded view of the Lions franchise. But, I have always wanted the Lions to do well, if nothing else but for the sake of the city of Detroit and the Lions many loyal fans. I've always admired Tom's ability to cover the Lions with a balanced approach. He was willing to call a spade a spade, but also was fair to the effort of the players and coaches. He will be VERY hard to replace. RIP Tom and a job well done!
Kyle Meinke
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
I had the pleasure of working at The Grand Rapids Press for four years before joining AnnArbor.com in July, and Tom was truly a pro. He had his weak points professionally, just like anyone, but he was as solid as they come. You could always count on Killer for two things: He'd hit his deadline, and he'd hit it with a strong, thoughtful voice. He was relentless on that beat. Tom was a great writer covering a bad team for so many years, and it never got to him. He covered that team the same every day, no matter how much things went awry. I never got to know him much personally, but I know he was highly respected among his peers -- those who knew him well, and those who didn't. He'll be missed.