Ed Hinton has passed away. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and recognizable voices in the world of motorsports, the former ESPN journalist, aged 76, died at Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama while surrounded by family and friends. The legendary but polarizing figure in the sports community was known for his versatility as a writer, covering not just racing but also college and professional football and baseball during his long and illustrious career.

Even though his loved ones and the wider sports community continue to mourn Hinton’s passing, the writer’s legacy will live on through his words. The Mississippi native epitomized free speech by writing what he believed in, a refreshing change in an era where journalists are often afraid of hurting sentiments.

Ed Hinton leaves behind an unmatched legacy

47 years. That’s how long Ed Hinton’s career spanned, during which he established a reputation for being one of the finest unfiltered journalists in the industry. Hailing from Laurel, Mississippi, the former writer began his career at the tender age of 19, earning his big breakthrough three years later at Laurel Leader-Call, where he established a foundation as a sports journalist. From that point on, there was no stopping him, as he went on to work with publications such as The Atlanta Journal, The National, Orlando Sentinel, and The Chicago Tribune until his eventual retirement at ESPN in 2014.

Ed Hinton’s time at Sports Illustrated and as senior motorsports writer for ESPN truly cemented his reputation for being controversial but fearless. Known for his witty humor and deep knowledge of the sport, the journalist primarily covered NASCAR and IndyCar, writing about controversial subjects like safety in motorsports and the commercialization of the racing industry. He also covered Dale Earnhardt‘s death in 2001, reporting not just on the tragedy but the broader implications of The Intimidator’s untimely death at Daytona International Speedway.

Hinton was known for being outspoken in his field and touched upon issues that were necessary for people to read. The Mississippi native has written about the struggles prevalent in the motorsports world, as well as the lack of diversity in the industry concerning women and people of color. He also wrote about hotly debated subjects, such as how the evolution of the sport might affect NASCAR’s core audience and the role of technology in the ever-evolving sporting landscape.

Apart from his career in the newsroom, Hinton was also a devoted family man. He was preceded by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Hinton (Alice) of the Pendorff Community, and his wife, Pamela Snow Hinton. He is survived by his son, Tyler R. Hinton (Jessica), and grandson, Samuel Hinton as well as his brother Tarrel Hinton (Marlene) from Ellisville. The former sports journalist was also quite religious and was a member of the Episcopal Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. The writer may have passed away, but his words will live on forever, inspiring generations to come.

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Motorsports community mourns Hinton’s passing

As expected, it didn’t take long for the motorsports community to express their condolences towards Ed Hinton’s family after his passing. Many fans recalled the journalist’s many contributions to their beloved sport, giving them unfiltered access to the news behind the news even if it went against the status quo. The writer’s immense experience shone through in his work, and one fan recalled, “I had him as a professor for a Nascar I had at UNC Charlotte. It was a great class. He shared great stories and a lot of other useful knowledge.”

Echoing that sentiment, another motorsports enthusiast remembered some chance encounters with the journalist while catching up with some racing action. The X user wrote, “Ed was great … had a seat near him at Indy for several Indy 500’s and Brickyard 400’s. Great racing knowledge and had some great stories to tell.” Another fan worked with Ed Hinton during his time in Chicago and went on to praise the Mississippi native for providing his assistance selflessly. The fan wrote, “Got to work with Ed when he was with The Tribune in Chicago and I got to work at the rival Sun Times – he actually took time to help me when I was just starting out -absolutely had no problem writing what he believed even if it did upset some – helluva wordsmith – RIP”

It’s no secret that Ed Hinton was a vocal advocate for improved safety standards in NASCAR and IndyCar, particularly at the turn of the century. Dale Earnhardt’s passing amplified the need to have better safety equipment, such as the HANS device (Hand and Neck Support) and the sports journalist played an important role in these measures becoming the norm. Recalling his contributions to the sport, a motorsports fan wrote, “Man I remember his series on safety in the early 2000s – such great writing. Another long time NASCAR media member gone.”

Ed Hinton was quite outspoken about the integrity of motorsports being compromised because of commercialization, urging the sanctioning body to strike a balance between entertainment and pure racing. Citing Hinton and Robin Miller as true icons in the sports journalism field, a fan wrote, “Ed Hinton was a classic. Back in the day when I heard either Ed Hinton or Robin Miller was going to be interviewed about something, it was must-see tv for me. I appreciated their honesty and being so candid because I knew the sanctioning bodies did not like their reporting. Both Hinton & Miller knew the fans should be in the know with what’s going on. R.I.P. Ed. 🙏”

We at EssentiallySports send our deepest condolences to the Hinton family in such trying times.