The Northwest Village Network will host an afternoon with Ray Didinger, renowned Philadelphia sportswriter and media personality, on Thursday, Sept. 12. The event will take place from 2-4 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of Lovett Library, located at 6945 Germantown Ave.
Didinger, often referred to as the dean of Philadelphia sportswriters, boasts an illustrious 53-year career covering the city's sports scene. His unique distinction as the only print journalist to cover the Flyers' Stanley Cup Championships, the Phillies' 1980 World Series Championship, the 76ers' 1983-84 Championship, and the Eagles' Super Bowl LII title underscores his exceptional legacy in sports journalism. He announced his retirement from regular media appearances in May 2022.
Born on Sept. 18, 1946, in Folsom, Pa., Didinger's journey in sports media began at Temple University, where he graduated with a B.S. in communications in 1968. During his college years, he served as the sports director for WRTI, Temple's public radio station, laying the foundation for his future career.
Didinger's professional path includes more than 25 years covering the NFL for the Philadelphia Bulletin and the Philadelphia Daily News. His expertise and dedication to the craft earned him the Pennsylvania Sportswriter of the Year award five times from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
In 1995, Didinger received the prestigious Dick McCann Memorial Award for his long and distinguished coverage of pro football. This honor led to his name being added to the writers' honor roll in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Didinger's talents extend beyond print journalism. He co-hosted a popular radio show on 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia with Glen Macnow, discussing various aspects of Philadelphia sports. His television career includes a stint as a full-time member of NBC Sports Philadelphia, where he appeared in various roles, most notably in Eagles Pre Game Live and Eagles Post Game Live.
As a senior producer with NFL Films, Didinger's work garnered four Emmy Awards for his contributions to the weekly series "NFL Films Presents" and the Turner Network documentary "Football America."
Didinger's literary contributions are equally impressive. He has authored and co-authored several books, including "The Super Bowl: Celebrating a Quarter-Century of America's Greatest Game" (1990), "Football America: Celebrating Our National Passion" (1996, co-authored with Don Shula), "The Eagles Encyclopedia" (2005, co-authored with Robert S. Lyons), and "The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies" (2009, co-authored with Glen Macnow). In 2021, he published his memoir, "Finished Business: My Fifty Years of Headlines, Heroes, and Heartaches."
In a surprising twist to his already diverse career, Didinger ventured into playwriting with "Tommy and Me," a 75-minute play about his efforts to get his childhood hero, Tommy McDonald, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Event attendees will have the opportunity to hear Didinger reflect on his remarkable journey through sports media. Known for his extraordinary storytelling abilities, Didinger promises an engaging afternoon filled with insider insights and memorable anecdotes from his decades-long career.
The event is free and open to all, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/sept12ray. Autographed copies of Didinger's books, "One Last Read" and "Finished Business," will be available for purchase.
