Was Grant Wahl unwell before sudden death? Podcast reveals state of sports journo's health
LUSAIL, QATAR: Soccer journalist Grant Wahl died at age of 48 during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Friday, December 9. Wahl suddenly collapsed in the Lusail Iconic Stadium while covering Argentina’s quarterfinal win over the Netherlands and was rushed to hospital in an Uber but shortly died, revealed his brother Eric Wahl. Many suspect foul play in Wahl's tragic death after he was detained in Qatar for wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Wahl who has repeatedly criticized World Cup organizers for the thousands of deaths and ongoing mistreatment of migrant workers to build the infrastructure for the tournament was barred entry for wearing a shirt, showing a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow as security guards demanded the shirt be removed. However, since his death, Wahl's podcast surfaced on the internet in which the renowned reporter claims to have been severely ill for weeks and sharing insights saying he took some time off after 17 straight days of games.
READ MORE
"My body, I think, told me that even after the US went out, 'Dude you are not sleeping enough.' And it rebelled on me," said in a clip from his podcast, Fútbol with Grant Wahl. "So I've had a case of bronchitis this week. I've been to the medical clinic at the media center twice now including today. I'm feeling better today," he added. "I basically canceled everything on this Thursday, that I had, and napped. And I'm doing slightly better, though you can probably tell in my voice that I'm not at 100 percent here. Hopefully I will not cough during this podcast."
On a podcast posted yesterday, Grant does share he was under the weather pic.twitter.com/CbYAC1XYyC
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) December 10, 2022
Earlier in the week, Wahl also shared that he had been ill for more than 10 days. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort,” he wrote on his website.
Wahl's brother Eric Wahl announcing his brother death in an emotional post alleged, “I believe he was killed.”
Eric Wahl, the brother of sportswriter Grant Wahl who died in Qatar while covering the World Cup, is asking for help.
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 10, 2022
Grant was detained in Qatar for wearing a rainbow shirt two weeks ago pic.twitter.com/lak0b1UZwa
"My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay. I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed. And I just beg for help,” Eric said in the video. “We’re still trying to find out (what happened). He collapsed at the stadium, was given cpr, was taken by Uber to hospital and died according to Celine. We just spoke with the state department and Celine has spoken to Ron Klain and the White House,” Eric wrote in a comment on the post.
