Journalist Grant Wahl Updates: Tributes Pour In, Brother Kicks

• “I’m in complete shock” – Wife pays tribute
• Cause of death still unclear after World Cup game collapse

Days after the shocking passage of popular football journalist, Grant Wahl in Qatar while covering the World Cup, the cause of his death remains unclear.

This is as his brother, Eric Wahl said he suspects foul play in the events leading to the sports reporter’s death.

Wahl died at the age of 48 on Friday during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and Netherlands after suffering what medics referred to as a ‘cardiac arrest’.

A statement released by his wife, Céline Gounder said she was in “complete shock” after her husband’s death.

Also retweeting a statement from U.S. Soccer, Céline wrote; “I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight”.

However, heightening the claims of a possible foul play, Grant’s brother, Eric Wahl said; “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”.

In a post on Twitter, Eric said; “I spoke with Grant just the other day for his birthday. He thought he’d caught bronchitis. I no longer believe that’s what it was. We all want answers.”

In an emotional video following Wahl’s death, his heartbroken brother Eric Wahl questioned the circumstances surrounding his passing, The U.S. Sun reported.

“My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay,” he said.

“I’m the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. My brother was healthy.”

Also commenting on unfortunate incident, an eyewitness claims there was no defibrillator nearby when the journalist collapsed.

“Why wasn’t there a defibrillator? That was the question we kept asking each other, as the medics pumped and pumped to no avail,” The Sunday Times special correspondent Josh Glancy recounted.

Meanwhile, tributes have continued pouring in to honour the departed pen pusher with former soccer player, Tony Meola writing on Twitter; “Numb. Shocked. Devastated to hear the news about Grant Wahl. The world lost a kind human being.

“Met Grant as a young reporter and later had the pleasure of working with him last WC. He loved people, life and our sport. May your soul rest in peace Grant.”

Similarly, United States (US) female football star, Megan Rapinoe, in response to the news, added to the tributes on social media about his tragic death, saying; “This is so devastating. All the love to his family and loved ones.”

Also, Wahl’s colleague, Chris Wittyngham took to Twitter to express his thoughts on his friend’s death, saying; “Grant Wahl was kind. Needlessly kind. I love him and I’ll miss him. He treated me with a level of respect I didn’t deserve.

“He gave me an opportunity when I needed one. And most importantly he was kind. Needlessly kind I’ll miss him. I’m devastated beyond words”

For one of basketball all-time greats, Lebron James, his tribute to Grant on Social Media read thus; “Even when I moved up in the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature of the years, any time his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at St. V.

“So it’s a tragic loss. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was.”

Wahl Reported For Over 20 Years
Grant Wahl, who worked as a sports reporter for over 20 years, was at a quarterfinal match between Argentina and Netherlands in Lusail when he passed away, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In the days before his death, Wahl complained about a case of bronchitis he had that week.

Wahl wrote on his website on Monday that he went to a medical clinic in Qatar after his body “finally broke down.”

“I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis,” he wrote.

“They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno,” Wahl said.

Further adding that he tested negative for COVID-19, the late Sports journalist had written; “I basically canceled everything on this Thursday, that I had, and napped.

“And I’m doing slightly better, though you can probably tell in my voice that I’m not at 100 percent here. Hopefully I will not cough during this podcast.”

He described his cough as a “death rattle.”