Jerry Izenberg

Jerry Izenberg is a renowned American sports journalist who spent most of his career with The Newark Star-Ledger. In addition to his newspaper columns and magazine articles, Izenberg has authored 13 books, including the acclaimed Once There Were Giants: The Golden Age of Heavyweight Boxing.

Jerry Izenberg was born in Newark, New Jersey, Izenberg began his journey in journalism while studying at Rutgers University in Newark. He joined The Star-Ledger in 1951, a tenure interrupted by his service in the Korean War.

His career spans many of the major sports events and figures of the late twentieth century. He has covered Sonny Werblin's ownership of the New York Jets, the legendary boxing career of Muhammad Ali, and the Loma Prieta earthquake that disrupted the 1989 World Series.

One of Izenberg's notable works is No Medals for Trying (1990), a gripping account of the New York Giants' preparation for a crucial game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The book offers an hour-by-hour narrative, capturing the physical and emotional challenges faced by the players and coaches. Izenberg's access to the team allows readers a unique glimpse into the intense world of professional football, highlighting the efforts of head coach Bill Parcells and his team.

His writing prowess extends to television, where he has been the writer, narrator, and producer of 35 network documentaries. One of these, A Man Called Lombardi, received an Emmy nomination.

Izenberg was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey in 1997 and received the Red Smith Award from the Associated Press Sports Editors in 2000. That same year, he was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame.

In 2016, he joined the ranks of the Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. His achievements continued with his induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2019.

To mark his 55 years in journalism, Izenberg penned an eight-part memoir for The Star-Ledger in 2006. His illustrious career includes coverage of every Super Bowl from its inception in 1967 until Super Bowl LIII, a streak he chose to end by not attending Super Bowl LIV.