Terez Paylor, NFL writer for Yahoo Sports, Detroit native, dies at age 37

Jim Reineking

| USA TODAY

Terez Paylor, a senior NFL writer for Yahoo Sports and Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, passed away unexpectedly, his fiancée Ebony Reed said Tuesday. He was 37.

Paylor joined Yahoo Sports in 2018 after previously working as a sports reporter for the Kansas City Star.

“While we are shocked and saddened by Terez Paylor’s sudden passing,” Reed wrote in a statement to Yahoo Sports. “We also celebrate his extraordinary life that touched so many. Terez was an exceptional journalist whose passion for football made him a respected voice. His legacy will leave an enduring impact on sports journalism, the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs and their fans.

“More important, Terez was a devoted son, grandson, brother, an adoring fiancee and a wonderful friend to so many. To know him was to love him. He will be dearly missed.”

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that our beloved friend, colleague and Yahoo Sports journalist Terez Paylor has passed away.

Statement from Ebony Reed, Terez’s fiancée: pic.twitter.com/oUFlJsXnSk

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 9, 2021

Paylor, who grew up in Detroit and graduated from Howard University, joined the Kansas City Star in 2006 and worked on numerous beats including covering high school sports, Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City and University of Missouri athletics before being promoted to the Kansas City Chiefs beat in 2013.

The announcement of Paylor’s passing comes two days after the unexpected death of longtime ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez and four days after the passing of longtime NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling.

People who work in sports media expressed their condolences for Paylor’s passing:

If ever a @onepeloton ride was needed, today is that day. Too many wonderful people being taken from us in the last week. Pedro Gomez, Chris Wesseling, Marty Schottenheimer, Terez Paylor … 💔 #RIP

— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) February 9, 2021

Terez Paylor — beloved by so many in our biz. Chiefs fans knew his stuff was beyond legit and so did everyone in that org. The guys and gals in that building who he covered on a daily basis are really hurting right now after this news. Gosh. Condolences to his fiance and family.

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) February 9, 2021

Between Vaughn McClure, Sekou Smith and now Terez Paylor, it hits you how small this circle of Black sports journalists is given this feels like we are losing them way too soon.

— Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark) February 9, 2021

I am heartbroken over Terez Paylor’s death. His passing is journalism’s loss, but a greater loss to the world. Terez was everything that is right in mankind. He was one of my closest friends and little brother I wish I always had.

Rest easy, Terez. You were loved by many. pic.twitter.com/rKoEjHwaVZ

— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) February 9, 2021

Wait a minute…this is just not f’ing right. What’s going on!!! Listen. Terez Paylor was my guy. Respected him to the fullest. 100%. He was real, talented, intelligent, genuine…I loved talking ball with the man. This is just devastating in every way. My condolences. I’m numb. pic.twitter.com/91SisU0NuF

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) February 9, 2021

Terez Paylor is another crushing loss.
I was so impressed a few years ago with how he did his job on the @Chiefs beat, I called to express my admiration and how he made us proud.
People my age, we know time here is finite.
Terez was 37.
What a loss. 🙏🏻 #RIPTerezPaylor

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) February 9, 2021

I can’t say anything more than my colleagues have already about @TerezPaylor

He was a special, rare person. We’re all going to miss him so much.

We’ve all been in shock all day. And probably will be for a long time. #RIPTerez

— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) February 9, 2021

Terez Paylor was *the* man. Most importantly a good and kind human, but also a truly phenomenal NFL writer and reporter. He was one of a kind and saying he’ll be missed doesn’t feel close to enough. We’ve been heartbroken all day.

All our love to Ebony and his family. https://t.co/w0MKDBSS1p

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) February 9, 2021

Chris Wesseling, Pedro Gomez and Terez Paylor leaving us all within days. Check on your people who work in and around sports because I guarantee you they were touched and inspired by one if not all three of them in some way.

— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) February 9, 2021

This article was originally published by Freep.com. Read the original article here.

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