Longtime USA Today sportswriter Rudy Martzke died this week, his son confirmed on social media.
He was 82.
Martzke was a sports media commentary pioneer, launching one of the first columns on the topic for the outlet in 1982 through his retirement in 2005.
In his final column in 2005, Martzke said his goodbyes while ribbing some of his subjects.
“While some at times have blistered me with complaints –- Gary Bender, Howard Cosell and even [Pat] Summerall –- my experiences have largely been positive while covering the TV sports business during a period of its greatest growth,” he wrote.
“The plaudits have come as the Sports on TV column became recognized. There have been features on me in Sports Illustrated and other magazines, a charity Rudy Roast in 2000 [in Biloxi, Mississippi] and a proclamation read to me at the men’s Final Four in St. Louis by NCAA President Myles Brand, who described me as an icon. Can’t do any better than that, I guess.”
The sports media industry rushed to social media to honor Martzke when news of his passing circled on Friday.
“Very sad about the passing of the great Rudy Martzke,” NBC Sports’ Greg Hughes wrote on X. “A friend, great sense of humor, bulldog reporter, fellow Badger (and a huge fan), sports media industry legend. Helped many a PR person (definitely me) and others across the industry with their careers…hurt a few, too.”
“When you saw this byline in USA TODAY Sports you knew it would be a must-read,” ESPN vice president of communications Bill Hofheimer said. “Never had the chance to work w/ Rudy Martzke but met him after I joined ESPN. A legendary figure and a good man. Very sad to hear of his passing today.”
“So sad to just learn of the passing of a real media legend Rudy Martzke of USA TODAY Sports fame,” legendary ESPN college basketball commentator Dick Vitale said on X.
“His Monday column was a must read by people from the world of TV sports . We had many a fun time at various events over the years. May RUDY RIP.”
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
