Richard Durrett, Popular ESPN-Dallas Reporter, Dead at 38

Richard Durrett, 38, an ESPN-Dallas correspondent, has passed away. Durrett collapsed Tuesday afternoon and died rather suddenly. The cause of death is not known.

Durrett worked for ESPN covering the Texas Rangers baseball team and was a frequent contributor to the sports giant whenever the national network needed coverage in and around north Texas. His career saw him cover everything from the World Series to Class A baseball in the Northwest. In a statement, ESPN spoke highly of the young sports writer who had, in his short time in the industry, garnered the respect of his peers.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Richard Durrett, who covered the Texas Rangers and other sports for ESPN Dallas for the past five years,” said Patrick Stiegman, ESPN vice president and editorial director, digital and print. “Richard was a dedicated colleague and friend who was extremely respected and well-liked. He was known for creativity and an exceptional work ethic throughout his ESPN tenure, and nearly a decade at The Dallas Morning News before that.

“He will be deeply missed by his friends, colleagues and many sports fans he enlightened every day. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, including his wife, Kelly, and two children, Owen and Alice.”

Durrett had previously worked as the Sports Editor at the Denton Record-Chronicle, and he was also a writer for the Dallas Morning News for nine years.

In 2009, Durrett began working for ESPN-Dallas covering the Texas Rangers baseball club and the Dallas Stars hockey team. He was well respected by colleagues, as evidenced by the outpouring of support shown in the last 24 hours.

The Texas Rangers released a statement on Durrett’s untimely passing.

“The Texas Rangers are shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Richard Durrett. Mr. Durrett covered the Texas Rangers with professionalism and integrity for the last decade, first for the Dallas Morning News and more recently for ESPNDallas.com. He earned the respect of team management and field personnel for his fair and thorough coverage on the Rangers beat. Mr. Durrett was a versatile journalist in every sense of the word with both his written and electronic coverage. He was always willing to contribute to Rangers publications and even did occasional radio play-by-play on Rangers broadcasts in Spring Training and the regular season. The thoughts and prayers of our entire organization go out to Mr. Durrett’s family.”

The Rangers have established a fund to aid the Durrett family in this time of mourning. Details can be found below.

Donations can be made at texasrangers.com/foundation or through the mail at Richard Durrett Family Fund, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 400, Arlington, TX 76011. Donations made through the Rangers Foundation in his memory will be directed to the Richard Durrett Family Fund.

Donations can also be made to the Richard Durrett Family Fund, c/o Liberty Bank, 3880 Hulen Street, suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76107.