Additional details have surfaced as it pertains to the shocking death of journalist Grant Wahl.
Wahl, who was working as a reporter at the World Cup in Qatar, collapsed at the Lusail Iconic Stadium during the quarter-final matchup between Argentina and the Netherlands on Friday. He was administered CPR on the scene before being rushed to a hospital, where he sadly passed away.
The Kansas native had discussed an ongoing health issue during his Futbol with Grant Wahl podcast on Thursday, the day before he died, revealing he was struggling with a severe case of bronchitis and had made two visits to the media center’s media clinic.
Grant, 49, told listeners he was feeling better but wasn’t yet back to normal, pointing out that it could have been heard in his voice.
CBS has since reported that the World Cup reporter died as the result of a heart attack.
Grant Wahl’s Brother Says He Believes There Was Foul Play
Grant’s brother, Eric, who announced the death in a video, claims to be of the view that his sibling’s demise wasn’t natural and was the result of foul play. Eric revealed Grant had been on the end of death threats after he was detained by security for wearing a T-shirt bearing the LGBTQ+ colors.
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The reporter’s detainment was big World Cup news at the time, with Qatar stating it would clamp down on any such protests during the tournament.
“My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay,” Eric said in a video posted to his Instagram on Friday. “I’m the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed. And I just beg for any help.”
The Sports World Mourns
Grant was a seasoned reporter known all around the sports world. He had covered multiple athletes for Sports Illustrated during his career and was the one who got LeBron James on the Cover of SI back when he was a relatively unknown high school star.
James expressed sadness over Wahl’s passing after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
“First of all, my condolences go out to his family,” LBJ told reporters during a press conference. “I’m very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot, me being a teenager and him covering that, it was a pretty cool thing.
“He was always pretty cool to be around, he spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron covering me over the course of time before that cover story came out.
“It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was and I wish his family, like I said, the best. And may he rest in paradise.”
The U.S Soccer Federation has also made the following statement:
“The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl.
“Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists.”
