Tony Grossi
Tony Grossi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tony Grossi 1958 Cleveland, Ohio |
| Occupation(s) | Sportswriter TV/Radio host Pro Football HOF selector |
| Awards | 1987 Ohio Sportswriter of the Year 2007 AP Sportswriter Award |
| Website | ESPN Cleveland.com |
Anthony "Tony" Grossi (born 1958 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a radio/TV personality, author, and former newspaper sportswriter currently working as an on-air host and Cleveland Browns reporter/analyst for ESPN Cleveland (WKNR AM 850 and WWGK AM 1540),[1] as well as for regional sports network SportsTime Ohio. Grossi also serves as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee.
Bio
Grossi was born and raised in the Cleveland area, and upon graduating high school in 1976, attended Ohio University, where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism.[2]
Plain Dealer
He then immediately after graduation began working for the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a sports reporter, and in 1984 became the full-time Browns beat reporter.[3] Grossi was recognized for his work in 1987, when he was named Ohio Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA)[4] In 1994, Grossi was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors.[5][6]
In 2004, Grossi would write his first book, titled Tales From the Browns Sideline, chronicling the history of the team as well as his own personal anecdotes from covering the Browns through the years.[7]
In 2007, Grossi would join the then new regional cable sports network SportsTime Ohio (STO) as an analyst on Browns themed programming.
In his role as Browns beat reporter and NFL insider, Grossi's reports and columns contributed to the Plain Dealer becoming a three-time Ohio Associated Press Award winner for Best Daily Sports Section (2007, 2010, 2011 - Division V), as well as winning individual honors for Best Game Story in 2007.[8]
Reassignment
In January 2012, Grossi - while discussing then Browns owner Randy Lerner's reclusive nature and lack of success with the Browns - tweeted that he viewed Lerner as "pathetic" and "the world's most irrelevant billionaire". Because of this, he was immediately removed from the Browns beat,[9] and reassigned to other duties in the sports department. He would eventually quit the Plain Dealer on March 7.
WKNR
Five days after officially leaving the Plain Dealer, Grossi signed with sports radio station (and eventual Browns flagship) WKNR AM 850 to be their Browns beat reporter and analyst[3] Along with this, Grossi continues in his role on SportsTime Ohio, and as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee.
In March 2014, it was announced that Grossi would have his own weekly program on WKNR, titled Hey Tony!, named after his long running newspaper and online feature where he would answer fans' questions.[10]
In 2016, Grossi became part of a daily program called The Insiders, serving as the resident NFL expert.
Awards and honors
- 1987 Ohio Sportswriter of the Year (NSSA)[4]
- 2007 Ohio Associated Press Sportswriting Award recipient - Best Game Story[11]
References
- ^ "ESPN Cleveland team". Good Karma Brands. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
- ^ "Grossi's Linkedin bio". Linkedin. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ a b "Grossi hired by WKNR" (PDF). WKNR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Grossi wins Ohio Sportswriter of the Year". National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ "Grossi's PD bio". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ "Grossi's WKNR bio". WKNR. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ "Grossi's book". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ "Grossi's AP award". Associated Press. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ "Grossi reassigned at PD". waitingfornextyear.com. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ "Grossi's new radio show". WKNR. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ "Grossi's AP award" (PDF). Associated Press. Retrieved 2014-04-25.