Ben Byrd, a legendary, influential, and highly respected figure in the history of Knoxville sports journalism died Monday morning at the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veteran’s Home in Knoxville after an extended illness. Byrd was father of Emmett Byrd, who serves as Business Manager for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Scott, Belmont NCAA men’s basketball coach Rick Byrd and Kathy Byrd who is the Dean of English at Pellissippi State Community College. Mr. Byrd was surrounded by his immediate family, according to his son, Emmett. He was 91. Mr. Byrd returned home from service in World War II in 1947 to begin work as a sportswriter for the Knoxville Journal. During his career, he covered Tennessee and SEC football and basketball, the Kentucky Derby, the Masters, the U. S. Open golf tournament, the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He was a co-host of the ‘Ray Mears Show,’ with John Ward and Mears. He was with the Journal until the newspaper ceased operations in 1991. Mr. Byrd was also a trailblazer, one of the first sportswriters to cross over media formats by appearing regularly on television and radio. He was one of the first mainstream sportswriters in the United States to provide equal coverage of women’s college basketball. Over the years, he had developed a lifelong friendship with longtime Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt.The National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association named Mr. Byrd ‘Tennessee Sportswriter of the Year’ five times. The Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame honored him with its ‘Thanks for the Memories’ award in July. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan, three children and four grandchildren. Visitation will be Wednesday at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, from 2-4 p.m., with services to follow at 4 p.m. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley, 967 Irwin Street, Knoxville, 37917.(Knoxville News-Sentinel)
