KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Terez Paylor, the popular NFL writer and voter of the Professional Football Hall of Fame, whose career took him from Kansas City Star to Yahoo Sports, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday. He was 37 years old.
Yahoo Sports announced his death in a statement. No cause was given.
Paylor joined Star after graduating from Howard University in 2006, covering everything from preparations to arena football to Sporting Kansas City for Major League Soccer. He also covered the University of Missouri before taking over as Chiefs in 2013, and would spend the next seven years covering his beloved NFL.
Three years ago, he joined Yahoo Sports as a senior writer to cover the league nationwide.
Her fiancé, Ebony Reed, said in a statement that “although we are shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Terez Paylor, we are also celebrating his extraordinary life that has touched so many people”. Kansas City Star columnist Sam Mellinger wrote: “Terez’s genius had nothing to do with turning a sentence … He knew football and the people who loved him.”
Paylor, who was known for his booming laugh and infectious smile, was one of 48 voting members of the Professional Football Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the National Association of Black Journalists.
Preparations for the funeral were pending.