In the long and brilliant history of Sports Illustrated, the magazine has employed few writers better than Bill Nack, who died Friday at age 77.
Nack joined SI in 1978 and worked there through 2001, covering numerous subjects but specializing above all in horse racing. His 1990 piece on Secretariat, memorably titled “Pure Heart,” is regarded as one of the best in SI history. In an interview about the story published a few years ago in honor of the magazine’s 60th birthday, Nack said he was more proud of that story than any other. The response to it, he said, was “astonishing.”
“Guys I’d never heard from [told me they loved it],” he said. “[SI managing editor Mark] Mulvoy said they had 400 some odd letters. He said, “I’ve never read letters like this.” People were weepy.”
In addition to his work for SI, Nack authored three books about horse racing, including one on Secretariat. Later in his life, he freelanced for publications including ESPN and GQ.
After news of Nack’s death broke Saturday, many of the biggest names in sports media, including Sports Illustrated greats past and present, tweeted tributes.
William Nack is the best sports writer of my lifetime. He also was a sweet, giving man. RIP. https://t.co/ZHkOgwgERX pic.twitter.com/jPVhUNt9jZ
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) April 14, 2018
William Nack passed away last night. Cancer took another one. He is, in my opinion, the greatest writer in the history of @SInow for his incredible reporting, brilliant prose and versatility. It was an honor to be in his orbit. R.I.P.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 14, 2018
RIP, Bill Nack.