by On the opening day of America’s top soccer league, one of its greatest voices was mourned and honored.
Major League Soccer has revealed that a league-wide press box seat will be reserved for the late Grant Wahl following his death in December.
“The football community lost a friend and colleague, Grant Wahl, in December,” MLS Communications said in a message.
“One of the most recognizable and respected voices in football, Grant’s influence on the game was immeasurable. As a tribute to Grant, MLS clubs will reserve a seat in the press box in his honor at the home opening.
In press boxes across the league, photos of Wahl were placed alongside flowers, rainbow banners, memorabilia from his podcast and cards encouraging people to share interactions with him, as well as other memories of his life that had an impact on others.
Tributes to American soccer journalist Grant Wahl have been placed in MLS press boxes like this one in Philadelphia ahead of the start of the 2023 Major League Soccer season
Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, covering college football and basketball, then started his own website.
He has also worked for Fox and CBS, and has written The Beckham Experiment, about English star David Beckham’s move to LA Galaxy Major League Soccer, and Masters of Modern Soccer.
Wahl – an accomplished sports journalist with over 25 years of experience – was in Qatar covering his eighth men’s world championships and his 12th overall world championships.
During the match, Wahl suddenly collapsed into his seat in the Lusail Iconic Stadium press box in Qatar.
Paramedics at the scene tended to him for about half an hour before he was transported to Hamad General Hospital in Doha, where he was pronounced dead on December 10.
An autopsy by the New York City Office of Forensic Medicine found the cause of death to be a ruptured aortic aneurysm with pericardial hematoma, his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, wrote in a blog post.
Earlier this week, Wahl visited a medical clinic complaining of chest pains. He was given cough syrup and antibiotics, believing he was suffering from bronchitis.
Gounder, a leading epidemiologist and professor at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine, refuted claims that Wahl’s death had any suspicious motives or was in any way related to the coronavirus.
Other tributes to Wahl were left in stadiums (top to bottom) in Atlanta, Nashville and Austin
Wahl spent his journalism career working at outlets such as Sports Illustrated, Fox and CBS
Grant Wahl (pictured with wife) Celine Gounder will be honored by the United States Soccer Hall of Fame with the Colin Jose Media Award in May
“No amount of CPR or shock would have saved him. His death was unrelated to COVID. His death was unrelated to vaccination status. There was nothing wicked about his death,” she wrote.
In the immediate aftermath of the news of Wahl’s death, his brother Eric said that Grant received death threats after being detained for wearing a T-shirt supporting the LGBTQ+ community at a game. Eric said he believed Grant was killed, a statement he later retracted.
Before the games started, Eric shared his feelings about starting the season without his brother.
“Starting the first season of MLS without Grant is hard for me, but he would be very excited about all the action and news, especially the MLS Season Pass on AppleTV+,” Eric wrote.
In the aftermath of Wahl’s death, Gounder shared two letters written to her by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I know what it’s like to lose a spouse – your rock, your inspiration, everything. I hope you find comfort in knowing that the love you had for Grant and the love he had for you will endure. He is with you always,” said President Biden.
Celine, it may take many seasons, but I promise you, the day will come when the memory of Grant will bring a smile to your lips before a tear wells up in your eye. I pray for you that that day will come sooner rather than later.
Wahl died suddenly at 49 of an ‘aortic aneurysm that ruptured’ during the World Cup in Qatar
Grant’s cheerful spirit and compassionate heart were gifts to all those whose lives he touched. His legacy will live on through you and the countless people he inspired,” wrote Vice President Harris.
US Soccer had previously honored Wahl in two friendlies played in January with a vacant press box shirt with the word “Wahl” written on it, along with a framed photo and flowers.
“The seat will always be vacant for Grant at all @USMNT and @USWNT home games from now until the 2026 World Cup,” said US Soccer Comms in a tweet.
Wahl will be honored on May 6 at the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas.
