GRANT WAHL’S wife revealed what caused the reporter’s shocking death while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Famous journalist Wahl suddenly died at the age of 48 on Friday last week during the quarter-final match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Dr Celine Gounder, an infectious disease epidemiologist, explained that her husband passed away “from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium”.
Dr Gounder wrote on Wahl’s official blog: “First and foremost, on behalf of myself and our family, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of support, love, and sympathy from around the world.
“This continues to be a very difficult and painful time as we grieve a beloved husband, brother, and friend.
“It is some comfort to know that so many people Grant reached—countless colleagues, readers, athletes, coaches, friends, and fans—are grieving alongside us.
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“Grant arrived home Monday, December 12, and this transition was handled with the utmost care and sensitivity.
“This was an international matter that required coordination from multiple agencies domestically and internationally, and there was full cooperation from everyone involved.
“Our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in repatriating Grant, in particular the White House, the U.S. Department of State, FIFA, U.S. Soccer and American Airlines.
“An autopsy was performed by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office.
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“Grant died from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium.
“The chest pressure he experienced shortly before his death may have represented the initial symptoms.
“No amount of CPR or shocks would have saved him.
“His death was unrelated to COVID. His death was unrelated to vaccination status. There was nothing nefarious about his death.
“While the world knew Grant as a great journalist, we knew him as a man who approached the world with openness and love.
“Grant was an incredibly empathetic, dedicated, and loving husband, brother, uncle, and son who was our greatest teammate and fan.
“We will forever cherish the gift of his life; to share his company was our greatest love and source of joy.
“Grant curated friends from all cultures and walks of life, for whom he was a generous listener, an enthusiast, a champion of others.”
This comes after Wahl’s brother Eric admitted he no longer suspects foul play behind his death.
Eric believed the football reporter was killed after he was denied entry by Qatar security forces to the World Cup match between Wales and USA in the group stage.
Wahl wasn’t allowed in because he wore a pro-LGBTQ+ shirt and the authorities ordered him to remove it as homosexuality is illegal and even punishable by death in the Middle Eastern state.
The American journalist was ultimately let in and received an apology by FIFA but later received death threats.
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But Eric now appears to agree with the doctors’ autopsy and doesn’t believe he was murdered.
Wahl was one of the world’s most prominent sports journalists having worked with Sports Illustrated and Fox News as well as a New York Times bestselling author that always focused on human rights.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
