American football journalist Grant Wahl died during the World Cup in Qatar. He collapsed during a match between Argentina and the Netherlands. A moment earlier, he commented on his progress on Twitter. Wahl made headlines when he was arrested by stadium security in Qatar for wearing a rainbow jersey to a match between the United States and Wales.
The reporter’s wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease epidemiologist who worked on US President Joe Biden’s coronavirus working group, confirmed her husband’s death in a statement posted on Twitter. “I am so grateful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s football family and many friends who have reached out to me tonight. I am in complete shock,” she wrote.
He was commenting on a match in Qatar, collapsed, died
Grant Wahl was in the press room when he collapsed in overtime. Other journalists have called for medical assistance.
Also during the match, Wahl commented on his progress on Twitter. “An incredibly engineered goal for the Netherlands from a set piece,” he referred to the second Dutch goal in second half stoppage time.
The journalist wrote on Monday that he visited the hospital during his stay in Qatar. “I haven’t had Covid (I get tested regularly here) but I went to the medical clinic at a major media center today and they said I probably had bronchitis,” he reported on online platform Substack this week.
Details of the reporter’s death were not fully known when the news broke, and the US State Department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Grant WahlReuters/Grant Wahl via Twitter
Inmate for a rainbow shirt
Wahl made headlines early in the tournament when he was stopped by stadium security wear a rainbow jersey for the USA vs Wales match. She said she wore the shirt in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
Grant Wahl, a CBS Sports correspondent and author of the popular column Substack, was 48 years old.
photo-source">Main photo source: Reuters/Grant Wahl via Twitter
