Columnist Bryan Burwell Dies At 59

Updated: December 4, 2014, 6:55 PM ET

ESPN.com news servicesColumnist Bryan Burwell Dies At 59

Columnist Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch died at age 59 on Thursday after a brief battle with cancer.

ST. LOUIS -- Award-winning columnist Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch died Thursday after a short battle with cancer. He was 59.

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The newspaper made the announcement on its website, stltoday.com. Sports editor Roger Hensley said in a statement that Burwell was one of the most well-respected journalists in his field.

"As great as Bryan was as a journalist, he was even better as teammate, as a coworker and as a friend," Hensley said.

Burwell's sports career spanned decades as a newspaper columnist and feature writer and with stints on national and local television, as well as ESPN's "Sports Reporters." Burwell last appeared on that show in September.

The Associated Press Sports Editors named Burwell one of the top 10 sports columnists in the country in 2007.

Among those posting condolences on Twitter were Albert Pujols, Chris Long, Warren Sapp, outgoing baseball commissioner Bud Selig, the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

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

"Like so many others in the sports community today, I am shocked and saddened by the passing of respected journalist Bryan Burwell," Selig said in a statement. "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."

Fellow Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz, who had carried on a friendly rivalry, lamented the loss of a "dear, sweet friend and colleague."

Burwell joined the Post-Dispatch in 2002 after working as a correspondent for HBO's "Inside the NFL." During a long career, Burwell also wrote columns for USA Today and The Detroit News, and worked in New York at the Daily News and Newsday.

Among the major events Burwell covered was Michael Jordan's comeback and sprinter Ben Johnson's expulsion from the Seoul Olympics after a positive drug test. He authored a biography of John Madden.

In recent seasons, Burwell had begun working in sports video. In 2013, his "Upon Further Review" video columns were recognized by Editor and Publisher in its Eppy Awards.

Rams executive vice president Kevin Demoff tweeted, "Profoundly saddened by the passing of Bryan Burwell. His ability to find humor and optimism in life was surpassed only by his love of sports."

Burwell is survived by his wife, Dawn, and a daughter, Victoria. Funeral arrangements were pending.

Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.

Source: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/11978134/bryan-burwell-st-louis-post-dispatch-dies-59

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Bernie Bit: Redskins will honor Bryan Burwell

Good morning from Atlanta ...

Washington Redskins VP Tony Wyllie texted late last night to inform me of the team's plans to honor late Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell at Sunday's Rams-Redskins game at FedEx Field. Washington will leave a seat in the press box empty and mark the spot with Burwell's name.

And there are plans to have a moment of silence for Burwell, who died of cancer Thursday morning at age 59.

Leaving a seat open for a fallen sportswriter may not seem like a big deal, but in our business it's considered a special honor and greatly appreciated by the scribes and broadcasters.

Because of his illness Burwell had been unable to attend the Rams' last two home games, the wins over Denver and Oakland. Bryan has an assigned seat in the Dome press box, but no sports writer or media person sat there during the last two games. We tried to keep it open as a gesture of respect to our beloved teammate.

This is a classy gesture by the Redskins. Bryan grew up near Washington D.C. and followed the team during his childhood. I know this would mean a lot to him.

I'm not surprised by the Redskins' kindness here. Wyllie worked in the Rams media-relations department for several years in the mid-late 1990s. During his time here Wyllie was a terrific professional who treated the STL sports media with respect. Wyllie was friendly with Burwell and understands the depth of love and respect that our profession has for Bryan.

On behalf of the Post-Dispatch and STLtoday sports staff, I'd like to thank Washington owner Dan Snyder, our friend Wyllie and the Redskins organization for being so thoughtful. It means a lot to us during this difficult time.

We'd also like to thank the St. Louis sports teams, especially coach Jeff Fisher and the Rams, who have been so gracious in the aftermath of Bryan's passing.

I'd suggest that the pressbox at the Edward Jones Dome be named in Burwell's honor better yet, let's wait to do it at the new St. Louis football stadium that Burwell pushed for over the past few years.

Thanks for reading ...

Bernie

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-bit-redskins-will-honor-bryan-burwell/article_29291919-48cf-59a1-bfb0-1db8d338500b.html

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