Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
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United States Rick Reilly has solidified his position as one of America's most recognized sportswriters, transitioning from acclaimed columnist at Sports Illustrated and ESPN to a celebrated author and speaker.
Reilly hosted ESPN's Homecoming with Rick Reilly, an interview show, and he is a contributing essayist for ESPN SportsCenter and ABC Sports. Rick Reilly was a featured columnist for ESPN.com and wrote the back page column for ESPN the Magazine.
Rick Reilly is a member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame. He wrote for Sports Illustrated from 1985 to 2007, and for the last 10 of those years he authored the popular “Life of Reilly” column on the magazine’s backpage, the first signed weekly opinion column in the magazine’s history.
Reilly appeared in a Miller Lite commercial with Rebecca Romijn in 1999.
In 2006, Reilly wrote a column in Sports Illustrated about a program dedicated to providing anti-malaria nets to African children at a cost of $10 per net. His request for contributions elicited a response from thousands and led to the creation of the Nothing But Nets foundation in partnership with the United Nations Foundation.
Richard Paul Reilly, born on February 3, 1958, began his career in journalism in 1979 as an undergraduate assistant with the Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado. He subsequently worked as a football writer for the Denver Post starting in 1981, and then moved to the Los Angeles Times in 1983. In 1985, Reilly joined Sports Illustrated, where he gained widespread recognition for his human interest pieces and his popular column, “Life of Reilly.” This column, featured on the back page of Sports Illustrated from 1997 to 2007, marked the first-ever signed opinion piece in the magazine’s history, establishing his influential voice in sports journalism. He has been honored as NSSA National Sportswriter of the Year eleven times, a testament to his consistent impact and quality of work.
In 2008, Reilly transitioned to ESPN, continuing his “Life of Reilly” column for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. His role expanded to include hosting the interview show “Homecoming with Rick Reilly” and serving as a contributing essayist for SportsCenter and ABC Sports. During his time at ESPN, he delivered numerous essays from major sporting events like the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, further cementing his presence in sports media. Reilly co-wrote the screenplay for the 2008 film “Leatherheads,” directed by George Clooney, demonstrating his versatility across different media. He is also the author of several books, including novels and best-selling autobiographies co-authored with sports figures such as Wayne Gretzky and Charles Barkley. Reilly retired from sports writing in 2014, continuing with ESPN in a television-only capacity, focusing on his books and screenplays.
Beyond his journalistic and literary achievements, Reilly is known for his philanthropic efforts. In 2006, he initiated a column in Sports Illustrated that led to the creation of the Nothing But Nets foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, dedicated to providing anti-malaria nets to African children. His career reflects a sustained commitment to storytelling, both in sports and on broader human interest topics, leaving a notable mark on both sports journalism and the community.
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