Dick Schaap

Date of Birth: September 27, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: December 21, 2001

Biography

Richard Jay Schaap, better known as Dick Schaap, was an American sportswriter, broadcaster, and author. Schaap was born in Brooklyn, New York, and carved out an illustrious career spanning several decades. He graduated from Cornell University, where he was the editor of The Cornell Daily Sun, and later from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Schaap started his professional career at Newsweek and then went on to work for the New York Herald Tribune, where he covered sports and news. He became widely known for his work on television, particularly with ABC’s “20/20” and ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters.” Schaap was known for his insightful interviewing style and ability to tell compelling stories across various media platforms. Over his career, he authored or co-authored over 30 books, covering a wide array of subjects from sports to politics. He was a recipient of multiple awards, including the prestigious Red Smith Award for his contributions to sports journalism.

5 Interesting Facts about Dick Schaap

1. Dick Schaap won five Emmy Awards for his work in television journalism.

2. He hosted “The Sports Reporters” on ESPN for over a decade.

3. Schaap once interviewed Muhammad Ali, where Ali recited a poem about Schaap.

4. He was the editor of Sport magazine and helped elevate the publication’s profile significantly.

5. Schaap co-authored “Instant Replay,” a groundbreaking book on the NFL, with Green Bay Packers lineman Jerry Kramer.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dick Schaap

1. “I believe in rooting against teams in sports. I feel it’s more fun that way.”

2. “The best stories are those that make you think and feel.”

3. “Sports is human life in microcosm.”

4. “A good journalist can never be afraid of the truth.”

5. “I always thought of sports as a way to understand the world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Dick Schaap’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Dick Schaap had three children: two sons, Jeremy Schaap, who followed in his footsteps as a sports journalist, and Josh Schaap, and a daughter, Kari Schaap.