Grantland Rice

Date of Birth: November 1, 1880

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 13, 1954

Biography

Grantland Rice, born Henry Grantland Rice, was an American sportswriter and broadcaster who became one of the most influential sports journalists of the early 20th century. Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Rice graduated from Vanderbilt University, where he played various sports including baseball and football. After college, he pursued a career in journalism, starting with the Nashville Daily News. Rice’s career took off when he joined the New York Tribune in 1911, where his poetic style and vivid descriptions of sporting events captivated readers. Rice is best known for his coverage of college football, particularly for coining the term “Four Horsemen” to describe the 1924 backfield of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His writing style often romanticized sports, turning athletes into larger-than-life heroes. Rice also covered major events like the World Series, the Olympics, and heavyweight boxing matches. Beyond print, he ventured into radio broadcasting and even wrote scripts for sports-related films. Throughout his career, Rice received numerous accolades, including induction into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. He passed away on July 13, 1954, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence sports journalism.

5 Interesting Facts about Grantland Rice

1. Grantland Rice coined the famous phrase “The Four Horsemen” to describe the 1924 Notre Dame backfield.

2. He was a pioneer in using poetic and romantic language to describe sporting events.

3. Rice was the first sportswriter to have his own syndicated column, reaching readers nationwide.

4. He played baseball and football at Vanderbilt University and remained a lifelong advocate for college sports.

5. Rice was posthumously inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1966.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Grantland Rice

1. “For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He marks – not that you won or lost – but how you played the Game.”

2. “Eighteen holes of match or medal play will teach you more about your foe than will 18 years of dealing with him across a desk.”

3. “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”

4. “A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.”

5. “To be a champ you have to believe in yourself when no one else will.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Grantland Rice’s highest net worth is difficult to quantify in modern terms, but his influence and the syndication of his work likely made him one of the highest-earning sportswriters of his time.

Children

Grantland Rice and his wife, Katherine Hollis, had one daughter, Florence Rice, who went on to become a successful actress in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s.