Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Enberg, whose career included covering 28 Wimbledons, 10 Super Bowls and eight NCAA men’s basketball title games, including the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird showdown of 1979, is dead at age 82.
Enberg was found dead at his home in La Jolla, a San Diego neighborhood, with his bags packed for a trip to see his third grandchild for the very first time. His family became concerned when Enberg didn’t arrive on his flight to Boston on Thursday, according to his daughter Nicole.
It is believed that Enberg died of a heart attack.
Enberg’s family “is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers of all of Dick’s countless fans and dear friends,” according to a statement released by Enberg’s attorney, Dennis Coleman. “At this time we are all still processing the significant loss, and we ask for prayers and respectful privacy in the immediate aftermath of such untimely news.”
“We are immensely saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg,” the San Diego Padres said in a statement.
“Dick was an institution in the industry for 60 years and we were lucky enough to have his iconic voice behind the microphone for Padres games for nearly a decade. On behalf of our entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Barbara, and the entire Enberg family.”
“All of us at CBS Sports are saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and colleague Dick Enberg,” Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports, said in a statement.
“There will never be another Dick Enberg. As the voice of a generation of fans, Dick was a masterful storyteller, a consummate professional and a true gentleman. He was one of the true legends of our business. His passion, energy and love for the game will surely be missed. Our deepest sympathies go out to Barbara and his entire family.”
Enberg is the only person to win Emmy Awards as a sportscaster, a writer and a producer.