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 |
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| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Cheryl Johnson
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Carole Simpson (cousin) |
Michael Wilbon is a well-known American sports commentator and journalist. He was born on November 19, 1958. You might know him best from ESPN, where he talks about sports. He also co-hosts a popular show called Pardon the Interruption. Before ESPN, he wrote for The Washington Post newspaper.
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Early Life and Education
Michael grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He went to St. Ignatius College Preparatory School. After high school, he studied journalism at Northwestern University. He graduated in 1980. While in college, he wrote for the student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern.
Sports Journalism Career
Working at The Washington Post
Michael started working at The Washington Post newspaper in 1980. He had already done summer internships there. He covered many different sports, like college games, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association.
In 1990, he became a full-time columnist. His articles were about sports and the culture around them. He wrote for the Post up to four times a week. He worked there until December 7, 2010, when he decided to work full-time for ESPN.
During his time at the Post, Michael covered many big sports events. He reported on ten Summer and Winter Olympic Games. He also covered every Super Bowl since 1987. He was at almost every Final Four college basketball tournament since 1982. He also covered every NBA Finals since 1987.
One special moment was in 1982. He was the only reporter from outside Hawaii to cover a huge basketball upset. A small college team, Chaminade, beat the top-ranked Virginia team. Michael was in Honolulu to cover a college football game.
Michael was known as one of the best writers in American newspapers. In 2001, the Society of Professional Journalists named him the top sports columnist.
Moving to Television
Michael 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.
He was also part of ABC's NBA Countdown. This show was a pre-game show for NBA games. He hosted it with other sports experts like Jalen Rose and Magic Johnson.
Michael also appeared on local TV in Washington, D.C. He was on Redskins Report during football season. He also appeared on Full Court Press during basketball season. These shows were canceled in 2008.
In 2006, Michael signed a new contract with ESPN. He even offered to leave The Washington Post. But the newspaper's leaders asked him to stay. ESPN became his main focus. For example, in 2007, he covered a basketball game instead of Super Bowl XLI.
Personal Life
Michael Wilbon lives in Bethesda, Maryland. He also has a home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He and his wife, Cheryl Johnson Wilbon, have one child. Their son, Matthew Raymond Wilbon, was born in 2008.
Michael has a cousin named Travon Bellamy. Travon played for the University of Illinois football team. Another cousin is Carole Simpson, a former reporter for ABC News.
Michael had a heart attack in 2008. He was taken to a hospital where doctors helped him. He also has type-2 diabetes.
In 2008, Michael threw out the first pitch at a Cubs–Cardinals baseball game. He also sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch. On Pardon The Interruption, they sometimes show a funny video of him wearing a Cubs jersey and bouncing the pitch.
In 2009, Michael competed in a TV show called "King of Bowling." He played against a professional bowler, Wes Malott. Michael won the game, but he had a special advantage. He received a 57-pin handicap, and Wes Malott had to use a plastic ball.
Michael has also served as a trustee for Northwestern University.
White House Visit
On July 12, 2013, Michael Wilbon, Tony Kornheiser, and Tony Reali visited the White House. After having lunch, they met President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
