Longtime Sports Illustrated writer Frank Deford dies at 78 Posted May 29, 2017 Longtime Sports Illustrated writer Frank Deford died on Sunday in Key West, Florida, according to the Washington Post. He was 78 years old. Deford started writing at Sports Illustrated in 1962 and was a senior editor emeritus. He recently worked with NPR's Morning Edition and retired earlier this month following his1,656th NPR commentary. (Sports Illustrated)