Texas Christian University Athletic Director Jeremiah Donati confirmed Jenkins’ death late Thursday, the newspaper reported. Jenkins is a graduate of TCU.
Incredibly saddened to hear the news that Dan Jenkins passed away this evening. Dan was one of the all-time greatest sport writers and was a proud Fort Worth native. We were blessed to have him in the Horned Frog family. 🐸 RIP Dan...you will be missed by many.
— Jeremiah Donati (@JDonati_TCU) March 8, 2019
Jenkins, whose wit, reporting and analysis spanned more than six decades, authored 23 books, incluiding best-selling novels like "Semi-Tough" in 1972 and "Dead Solid Perfect" in 1974. His last novel, "Stick a Fork in Me," was published in 2017.
His last work was 2018's nonfiction book, "Sports Makes You Type Faster."
Jenkins also wrote for the Fort Worth Press, the Dallas Times Herald, Sports Illustrated and Playboy.
Jenkins graduated from Paschal High School in Fort Worth and TCU, where he played on the university's golf team, the Star-Telegram reported. In March 2017, TCU named the press box at Amon G. Carter Stadium after him, the newspaper reported.
Jenkins was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012. Jenkins also won the Red Smith Award, the PEN/ESPN Lifetime Achievement Award for Literary Sports Writing and the Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Journalism from the PGA of America, Sports Illustrated reported.
Friends said Jenkins' condition over the last three days had taken a turn for the worse, the Star-Telegram reported.
Jenkins is survived by his wife, June; his sons, Danny and Marty; and daughter Sally, who is an award-winning sports columnist for The Washington Post.
Dan Jenkins is with Hogan again. They’ll take on all comers.
— Dave Kindred (@DaveKindred) March 8, 2019
Dan Jenkins wrote a lot of great stuff, and obviously he influenced golf writing more than just about anyone, but for my money, this lede (especially the first sentence) about Joe Namath is one of the best every written. Raising a glass to Dan tonight. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/r0iFT1LP0d
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) March 8, 2019
From six years ago at an APSE convention in Detroit. Me, with one of my heroes in the business, Dan Jenkins. He died today at 89. RIP to a legend. https://t.co/dRpTdqSEDr…/mac-e…/article227286574.html pic.twitter.com/ZMjhhD8DFf
— Mike Harris (@TheAthleticMike) March 8, 2019
SI is saddened by the passing of legendary Sports Illustrated golf writer Dan Jenkins, who died at age 89 on Thursday: https://t.co/xuuBNHiWoR pic.twitter.com/BfFRHDcKqJ
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 8, 2019
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