Grant Wahl Says Bronchitis Cough Sounded Like ‘Death Rattle’ Day Before He Died

World Cup reporter Grant Wahl‘s deadly collapse throughout a match Friday is a tragic finish to an extended, arduous week of sickness — one thing he overtly mentioned the day earlier than his demise.

Grant recorded and posted his “Futbol with Grant Wahl” podcast on Thursday, and mentioned he’d come down with a case of bronchitis so unhealthy … he’d “been to the medical clinic on the media heart twice now, together with in the present day.”

Grant added he was feeling higher, however was removed from 100% … which he mentioned listeners might in all probability hear in his voice.

As we reported, the veteran sports activities journalist collapsed in a stadium Friday — in the course of the Argentina-Netherlands match — and after CPR makes an attempt on the scene, he was Ubered to a hospital, however died. CBS News is reporting it was a coronary heart assault.

Grant’s brother, Eric, introduced his demise with a video — through which he was understandably distraught — and flat out mentioned he believed there was foul play concerned.

He mentioned Grant had been getting demise threats in Qatar after stadium safety had detained him again in November … when he wore a rainbow-themed T-shirt in help of LGBTQ+ rights. His detainment turned an enormous story, as Qatar had threatened to close down any LGBTQ+ protests in the course of the match.

Grant’s demise shocked the sports activities world, nicely past the World Cup — he’d lined large athletes for Sports Illustrated throughout his profession, together with then-high college phenom LeBron James‘ well-known SI cowl story.

Friday night time, LeBron remembered Grant fondly, saying … “It’s unlucky to lose somebody as nice as he was. I want his household the most effective and should he relaxation in paradise.”