Sports World Mourns Death of Long-Time LA Times Writer Chris Dufresne
Chris Dufresne, who worked in the Los Angeles Times sports department for over 30 years, passed away on Monday. Christopher Gabriel first reported the news. Dufresne was 62 years old.
No cause of death has been released, but the last story he wrote, which captured his ability to mix in humor with information and educated opinion, was questioning whether he would ever attend another live sporting event. According to the story, he had a relapse of childhood asthma last year. He wrote about the dangers people like him faced in this pandemic and how he felt like they were being used as sacrificial lambs. He never did get to see another live sporting event.
I am a 62 year old sportswriter with a history of asthma wondering: will I ever attend another live sporting event? Am I an "Expendable," a superhero with a mask but no powers or a cape? #Covid_19 @HerbGould @MrCFB @blauds @SInow .https://t.co/JJS8B6WeIC
— Chris Dufresne (@DufRankman) May 7, 2020
According to his bio on the LA Times, Dufresne started as a truck loader at the Times in 1976. He worked his way up from prep writer to college football and basketball columnist, a post he held from 1995-2015. He was named the 2011 California Sportswriter of the Year by the National National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
The media reaction was universal in its praise of Dufresne as a writer and devastation at his passing.
I spoke with Sheila Dufresne this morning. She told me Chris (@DufRankman) passed away last night. He was a giant in sportswriting. No tweet could do him or his work justice. He was a great friend and when he came on the program, it was two guys having coffee and talking sports.
— Christopher Gabriel (@CGProgram) May 26, 2020
Chris Dufresne died today. This is the final thing he wrote. Can we PLEASE take this seriously? Please. https://t.co/7sWeb4Lnfx
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) May 26, 2020
Devastating news about the passing of Chris Dufresne, aka Rankman to many longtime @latimessports readers. Chris was a titan among sportswriters, and a proud CS Fullerton Titan, too. He was also a trusted advisor and beloved friend to so many. RIP, Chris.
— mike hiserman (@MikeHiserman) May 26, 2020
Just gutting news about the death of Chris Dufresne. He operated with no sacred cows, an acerbic wit and a relentless appetite to mock/question the powerful and demand accountability. One of the defining voices of this generation of college sports. RIP, Duf. https://t.co/Tp07RgA8vx
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 26, 2020
Chris Dufresne had a rare ability to honestly describe the absurdity of sports without getting jaded. This story is 20 years old, but I still think about it sometimes. It might give you a sense of what it was like to sit in a bar after a game with Chris. https://t.co/hSayLAGrIT
— Michael Rosenberg (@Rosenberg_Mike) May 26, 2020
Chris Dufresne, 62 and a sportswriter, just died. He had asthma. This was the last piece he wrote - published on May 7. "People over 60 need to be protected so long as it doesn't impact the stock market. Beyond that, Grandpa, it's been nice knowing you."https://t.co/2JiZwmxA1L
— Dan Murphy (@bungdan) May 26, 2020
RIP Chris Dufresne. Damn. ?
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) May 26, 2020
Devastating news about the passing of Chris Dufresne, aka Rankman to many longtime @latimessports readers. Chris was a titan among sportswriters, and a proud CS Fullerton Titan, too. He was also a trusted advisor and beloved friend to so many. RIP, Chris.
— mike hiserman (@MikeHiserman) May 26, 2020
Chris Dufresne has been a close friend for 25 years. We covered games together, vacationed together. I envied his talent. He knew exactly what the story was -- trust me, that's a talent -- and he had terrific comic timing on the page. A sad reminder we are guaranteed nothing.
— Ivan Maisel (@Ivan_Maisel) May 26, 2020
This is @DufRankman's final piece for @latimessports. As perfect a "farewell column" as has ever been written:https://t.co/bTYqmPQY0r
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) May 26, 2020
His farewell column was personal, insightful and emotional. He talked about the importance of newspapers in his life, how his father delivered for the LA Times and how his first big assignment was getting the sports editor a sandwich. He ended it by discussing a rejection letter he got from the LA Times in 1980. They made amends for that mistake and we're better for it. RIP to Chris Dufresne.