Jerry Magee RIP

Man, the bad news just keeps coming today. Longtime San Diego sportswriter dies at 90.

Jerry Magee, legendary San Diego sports writer, dies at 90

This saddens me personally, as I worked at the Union-Tribune in the mid-90s when Jerry was on stuff. He would pull a few desk shifts occasionally where I had the chance to talk with him. He was always nice and respectful to this wet-behind-the-ears college student who was in the newsroom mainly to take phone calls, and write prep box and local briefs.

 

Nick Canepa with a nice write-up on his colleague:

Canepa on Magee: San Diego has lost a giant

 

Magee enjoyed mentoring younger writers. He could also be demanding.
He once told a young writer at the Union: “This job needs a bit more energy than you are applying.”

 

I do hope when long-time newspaper bylines pass on, management (who had probably never worked with them) will pass on handing it off to a staffer (who never worked with them) and have a longtime colleague who may be retired, but knew that person best do it. I know that's probably asking too much, but it would be nice.

 

I remember reading his work in the 70s in Pro Football Weekly. Him and Dave Anderson IIRC. Magee was big on the SD Chargers!