Sports columnist, author John Feinstein dies at age 69 Posted Mar 13, 2025 John Feinstein, whose career as a columnist and best-selling author of sports books made him one of the most notable sportswriters of his time, died Thursday. He was 69. Feinstein was a regular sports columnist for the Washington Post but began his career as a night police reporter in 1977. He was most widely known for his coverage of college basketball. (ESPN.com)