It’s funny, I just read this and I was a sports journalist for about 25 years. At the time of his death, I wrote a weekly column and that week I wrote about Nick Charles, someone most didn’t know, but I was at the age where he was the Man. He was the first on TV to really tell the story during a sports show, not just a two-minute clip. He was cool but the part I admired do was you could look in his eyes and see he cared. I prided myself for attempting to do the same thing with my writing. He touched me then and reading this story he still touches me now. I am 64, the same age of his death, and I hope I look death in the eye and continue to embrace the beauty.
And if he asked me why I became a writer? It was simply, the words came easily so I realized God had given me a gift, but like him, I just wanted to tell those stories of the average men and women or boys and girls doing extraordinary things.
and so I went and read many obits for Nick Charles. But they were all the things that you find on the internet...none of them felt like something you would write
Joe, you have a way of writing about things that are sad, and also leading your readers to feel the joy and beauty that can be found inside them, that few possess.
I am thankful that you do what you do, the way that you do it.
I loved this with tears in my eyes. Sounds like he was a wonderful man, a wonderful father and husband. And he got to see Paris but he was living in one of the wonder spots in the world.
I visited there recently and we drove through an Indian Pueblo. The buildings were beautiful and really old. I am not used to seeing things like I would have seen in Europe or Asia, in the American Southwest. Truly beautiful.
which pueblo? the Santa Domingo and the Jemez Pueblos were just outside of the Jemez Valley, (i lived almost a year in the astoundingly beautiful area, in Jemez Springs) and the Indians would often come into the bar and restaurant i managed; i was even invited to their pueblo feast- not out with the tourists, but the heads of the tribe made sure i was their guest in their home; myriad women had been cooking up a storm for 3 days, an amazing and indelible experience
I don't remember the name but it essentially backs up to Espanola. My friend's brother's land butts up on it, making for quiet neighbors since all of it is just raw land. The local people also seemed to own more than a few businesses in town. Not a wretched poor place at all but a thriving pretty place.
Used to stay up just to catch Charles and Hickman on Sports Tonight. They were the best, back when the world was a simpler place. This one one of the best pieces I’ve ever read. Thank you Joe.
To use a boxing cliche, this hit me like a 1-2 punch. First the power of Joe’s writing, then the disbelief that it’s been 11 years now since it was written. Fitting I guess for a timeless piece of writing on a timeless topic.
I grew up watching Nick on WJZ TV in Baltimore. I remember thinking at the time that he was too good looking to be any good. He certainly proved me wrong. Great piece Joe.
I watched Nick even before then, when just starting out on WICS in Springfield, IL. Along with Fred Hickman, they both left for CNN when that network was just starting out. A couple of Ted's first hires, and what a job they did on Sports Night. So privileged to watch them grow up professionally.
What a beautiful story. One of your best, Joe.
It’s funny, I just read this and I was a sports journalist for about 25 years. At the time of his death, I wrote a weekly column and that week I wrote about Nick Charles, someone most didn’t know, but I was at the age where he was the Man. He was the first on TV to really tell the story during a sports show, not just a two-minute clip. He was cool but the part I admired do was you could look in his eyes and see he cared. I prided myself for attempting to do the same thing with my writing. He touched me then and reading this story he still touches me now. I am 64, the same age of his death, and I hope I look death in the eye and continue to embrace the beauty.
And if he asked me why I became a writer? It was simply, the words came easily so I realized God had given me a gift, but like him, I just wanted to tell those stories of the average men and women or boys and girls doing extraordinary things.
Thanks for sharing 💛
Life is beautiful, life is hard, life is important.
Knowing this, living this is all we can do outside of sharing that feeling with others
Thanks Joe
Beautiful story. The way it started, I assumed you were already friends. In a sense, you were.
wow. just lovely. poignant.important. thank you for sharing this again (didn't know you back 11 years, but so glad I do now)
and so I went and read many obits for Nick Charles. But they were all the things that you find on the internet...none of them felt like something you would write
I am speechless. Your compassion and insights are extraordinary.
You are such a wonderful writer. Made me cry.
Lovely piece. Was this a companion to an essay on Nick published elsewhere? SI? Another one of Joe's stops?
Joe all your writing is great but my favorites are when you write long form about people.
so much i COULD say- but all i WILL say is THANK YOU for this, Joe...
Superb as usual Joe
This is beautiful. So sad, and so beautiful.
Joe, you have a way of writing about things that are sad, and also leading your readers to feel the joy and beauty that can be found inside them, that few possess.
I am thankful that you do what you do, the way that you do it.
I loved this with tears in my eyes. Sounds like he was a wonderful man, a wonderful father and husband. And he got to see Paris but he was living in one of the wonder spots in the world.
yes, i lived in New Mexico for 3 years (Albuquerque 2 yrs, Placitas 3 mos,, Jemez Springs 9 months), a truly beautiful place!
I visited there recently and we drove through an Indian Pueblo. The buildings were beautiful and really old. I am not used to seeing things like I would have seen in Europe or Asia, in the American Southwest. Truly beautiful.
which pueblo? the Santa Domingo and the Jemez Pueblos were just outside of the Jemez Valley, (i lived almost a year in the astoundingly beautiful area, in Jemez Springs) and the Indians would often come into the bar and restaurant i managed; i was even invited to their pueblo feast- not out with the tourists, but the heads of the tribe made sure i was their guest in their home; myriad women had been cooking up a storm for 3 days, an amazing and indelible experience
I don't remember the name but it essentially backs up to Espanola. My friend's brother's land butts up on it, making for quiet neighbors since all of it is just raw land. The local people also seemed to own more than a few businesses in town. Not a wretched poor place at all but a thriving pretty place.
yeah Espanola was just above Jemez outside of Santa Fe on way to Ojo Caliente and Taos, Georgia O'Keefe lived there
No wonder her paintings are so wonderful
Used to stay up just to catch Charles and Hickman on Sports Tonight. They were the best, back when the world was a simpler place. This one one of the best pieces I’ve ever read. Thank you Joe.
To use a boxing cliche, this hit me like a 1-2 punch. First the power of Joe’s writing, then the disbelief that it’s been 11 years now since it was written. Fitting I guess for a timeless piece of writing on a timeless topic.
I grew up watching Nick on WJZ TV in Baltimore. I remember thinking at the time that he was too good looking to be any good. He certainly proved me wrong. Great piece Joe.
I remember him doing sports in the DC market.
I watched Nick even before then, when just starting out on WICS in Springfield, IL. Along with Fred Hickman, they both left for CNN when that network was just starting out. A couple of Ted's first hires, and what a job they did on Sports Night. So privileged to watch them grow up professionally.