Tony Grossi

Anthony Grossi (born 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a radio/TV personality, author, and former newspaper sportswriter who works as an on-air host and Cleveland Browns reporter/analyst for ESPN Cleveland (WKNR AM 850),[1] as well as for regional sports network Bally Sports Great Lakes. Grossi also served as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee.

Tony Grossi
Born
Anthony Grossi

1957
Cleveland, Ohio
Occupation(s)Sportswriter
TV/radio host
Awards1987 Ohio Sportswriter of the Year
2007 AP Sportswriter Award
WebsiteThe Land On Demand.com (WKNR - ESPN Cleveland)

Bio

Grossi was born and raised in the Cleveland area, and upon graduating high school in 1976, attended Ohio University, where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism.[2]

Plain Dealer

He then immediately after graduation began working for the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a sports reporter, and in 1984 became the full-time Browns beat reporter.[3] Grossi was recognized for his work in 1987, when he was named Ohio Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA)[4] In 1994, Grossi was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors.[5][6]

In 2004, Grossi would write his first book, titled Tales From the Browns Sideline, chronicling the history of the team as well as his own personal anecdotes from covering the Browns through the years.[7]

In 2007, Grossi would join the then new regional cable sports network SportsTime Ohio (STO - now known as Bally Sports Great Lakes) as an analyst on Browns themed programming.

In his role as Browns beat reporter and NFL insider, Grossi's reports and columns contributed to the Plain Dealer becoming a three-time Ohio Associated Press Award winner for Best Daily Sports Section (2007, 2010, 2011 - Division V), as well as winning individual honors for Best Game Story in 2007.[8]

Reassignment

In January 2012, Grossi - while discussing then Browns owner Randy Lerner's reclusive nature and lack of success with the Browns - tweeted that he viewed Lerner as "pathetic" and "the world's most irrelevant billionaire". Because of this, he was immediately removed from the Browns beat,[9] and reassigned to other duties in the sports department. He would eventually quit the Plain Dealer on March 7.

WKNR

Five days after officially leaving the Plain Dealer, Grossi signed with sports radio station (and eventual Browns flagship) WKNR AM 850 to be their Browns beat reporter and analyst[3] Along with this, Grossi continues in his role on SportsTime Ohio, and as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee.

Suspension

On February 25, 2020, Grossi was suspended by WKNR after referring to Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield as a "fucking midget" during a discussion regarding the team. The comment was made after an interview.[10]

Awards and honors

References
  1. "ESPN Cleveland team". Good Karma Brands. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  2. "Grossi's Linkedin bio". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  3. "Grossi hired by WKNR" (PDF). WKNR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  4. "Grossi wins Ohio Sportswriter of the Year". National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  5. "Grossi's PD bio". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  6. "Grossi's WKNR bio". WKNR. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  7. Grossi, Tony (2004). Grossi's book. ISBN 1582617139.
  8. "Grossi's AP award". Associated Press. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  9. "Grossi reassigned at PD". waitingfornextyear.com. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  10. Scofield, Drew (2020-02-25). "Tony Grossi suspended indefinitely for calling Baker Mayfield derogatory slur". WEWS-TV. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  11. "Grossi's AP award" (PDF). Associated Press. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
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