Michael Wilbon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Wilbon
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Wilbon in 2011
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| Born | November 19, 1958 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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| Education | Northwestern University |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Cheryl Johnson
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Carole Simpson (cousin) |
Michael Ray Wilbon, born on November 19, 1958, is a well-known American sports commentator. He works for ESPN and used to be a sportswriter for The Washington Post. Since 2001, he has been a co-host of the popular ESPN show Pardon the Interruption.
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Early Life and School
Wilbon grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He finished high school at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in 1976. In 1980, he earned his journalism degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. While in college, he wrote for the student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern.
Michael Wilbon's Career
Working for Newspapers
Michael Wilbon started working at The Washington Post in 1980. He had already done summer internships there in 1979 and 1980. He wrote about many sports, including college sports, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association.
In 1990, he became a full-time columnist. His column often talked about the culture around sports, not just the games themselves. He wrote for the Post up to four times a week. He left the newspaper on December 7, 2010, to work full-time for ESPN.
During his time at the Post, Wilbon covered many big sports events. He reported on ten Summer and Winter Olympic Games. He also covered every Super Bowl since 1987. He attended almost every Final Four since 1982 and every NBA Finals since 1987.
He was the only reporter from outside Hawaii to cover a famous basketball upset in 1982. This was when the top-ranked Virginia team lost to Chaminade. Wilbon was in Honolulu to cover a college football game.
Wilbon was known as one of the best writers for newspapers who could meet deadlines. In 2001, the Society of Professional Journalists named him the top sports columnist.
Working in Television
Wilbon started appearing on ESPN shows like The Sports Reporters. On October 22, 2001, he began co-hosting Pardon the Interruption (PTI) with Tony Kornheiser. This show is a daily discussion about sports.
Wilbon was also part of ABC's NBA Countdown. This show was a pre-game show for NBA games. Before joining ESPN, Wilbon worked on the BET Budweiser Sports Report show.
Besides his work at The Washington Post and ESPN, Wilbon appeared on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. He was on Redskins Report during football season. He also appeared on Full Court Press during basketball season.
In late 2006, Wilbon signed a new contract with ESPN. This contract meant ESPN would be his main focus if there were scheduling conflicts. For example, on February 4, 2007, he covered a Detroit Pistons–Cleveland Cavaliers game instead of Super Bowl XLI.
Personal Life
Michael Wilbon lives in Bethesda, Maryland, and also has a home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He and his wife, Cheryl Johnson Wilbon, had their son, Matthew Raymond Wilbon, on March 26, 2008. Matthew is sometimes called "Lilbon" by Tony Kornheiser.
Wilbon has a cousin named Travon Bellamy, who played football for the University of Illinois. Former ABC News reporter Carole Simpson is also Wilbon's cousin.
Wilbon had a heart attack on January 27, 2008. He went to a hospital in Scottsdale, where doctors helped him. Wilbon also has type-2 diabetic.
On August 10, 2008, Wilbon threw out the first pitch at a Cubs–Cardinals game at Wrigley Field. He also sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch. Footage of this is often shown on Pardon The Interruption as a friendly joke from Kornheiser.
In May 2009, Wilbon competed in a TV show called "King of Bowling." He played against professional bowler Wes Malott. Wilbon won the game, but he had a special advantage with a handicap.
Wilbon has also served as a trustee for Northwestern University.
White House Visit
On July 12, 2013, Wilbon, Kornheiser, and Tony Reali visited the White House. After having lunch, they met President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
Images for kids
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Wilbon in 2011
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Tony Reali, Tony Kornheiser, and Michael Wilbon meeting President Barack Obama
