Everyone Murders

August 29th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^

Killer was one of the few reasons to happen by MLive periodically.  He had journalistic integrity, and wrote really well.

A terrible loss at 51 years.  Thoughts and prayers go out to Tom and his family!

Naked Bootlegger

August 29th, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^

I don't read MLive much any longer, but I usually do check in on Killer's tidbits.   Bad news.  If the Lions magically make the playoffs this year, I will raise a glass on behalf of Killer.

Ty Butterfield

August 29th, 2011 at 2:39 PM ^

I started listening to the show more frequently once Killer became a regular. I never read his stuff on mlive, but I thought he did a great job on the radio and usually did a pretty good job of keeping Sean on point and not letting him go off on crazy tangents. I did a double take when I saw this thread. This is truly sad news. RIP Killer.

MrVociferous

August 29th, 2011 at 12:29 PM ^

Bummer man.  Killer was one of the first newspaper writers in Detroit to really embrace the web.  I always enjoyed reading his work, and he'll certainly be missed.

translator82

August 29th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^

I started reading Kowalski's reports and writings during my freshman year in Ann Arbor and haven't stopped since. His radio interviews on WDFN were priceless--I always looked forward to listening to those.

This is a huge loss for Lions fans and sports journalists. This guy was the textbook beat reporter and not one of those cookie-cutter guys that didn't do the work. He busted his butt to get the job done and even better: He interacted with the fans in chats, forums (yeah, the mlive.com Lions forum) and now on Twitter. A lot of national beat writers could take a page from Killer...RIP.

AMazinBlue

August 29th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^

I have been a Killer fan for years.  His work on WDFN with Sean B was the only thing worth listening too. 

Killer was the best part of MLIve.  You could always count on his honest opinion.

My thoughts and prayers to his family, his fiancee and to his extended family at WDFN.

 

Killer, you will be missed!

enlightenedbum

August 29th, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^

Best beat writer in the area by a sizable margin (it would be huge if it weren't for Helene St. James for Red Wings coverage).  He'll be terribly missed by all Lions fans.  Too early.

lazyfoot10

August 29th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^

I listened to Sean and Terp a lot two years ago. They added Killer to the show about a year ago to make it Sean Terp and Killer. It's my favorite sports show to listen to on the way home from my summer job. He always did an excellent job covering the Lions. This is so shocking. Thoughts and prayers with his friends and family.

True Blue Grit

August 29th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^

I've not been the biggest Lions fan over the years, even though I grew up in the Detroit area.  But, my little exposure to opinions about the Lions over the years has been via Tom's articles.  I was always impressed with his pull-no-punches style and deep knowledge that came through in his writing.  If he saw a turd, he called it a turd.  But, he always seemed balanced too and not overly harsh on the team or its players.  He'll be missed.  RIP Tom. 

jimmatz

August 29th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^

So sad.  Listening to Killer on 96.1 was the highlight of my drives home from work.  His articles on mlive were always a good read and a great way to keep up on the Lions.  He will be greatly missed.

michfan6060

August 29th, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^

I was just listening to him on the Omelet and Finster radio show this morning....this sucks....RIP Killer

mgobleu

August 29th, 2011 at 2:01 PM ^

What a shame. He seemed like he always did a great job of straddling the line between shameless homer and objective reporter and was always entertaining and informative. Made Sean and Terp a whole lot better too; I never read his columns with any regularity, but I'll definitely miss him giving Terp a hard time about being a Michigan slap.

turd ferguson

August 29th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^

i really hoped as i opened this that the thread title was somehow misleading.  that's very, very sad, and i feel for his family.  killer will forever be one of those people i associate with lions football, and he'll be missed.  prayers to his family & friends.

Augger

August 29th, 2011 at 2:32 PM ^

I still cant process this, Killer was the reporter who provided a voice to anguished Lions fans year after year...a great all around guy.  Wow he will truly be missed!

TruBlue15

August 29th, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^

As a lifelong Detroiter and Lions fan, killer and M-Live were my go to for all things lions. I had the pleasure of meeting killer at a few of WDFN's radio events, and he was an amazing guy to have a beer with and talk football. This is a loss not just for lions fans but for football fans everywhere. Thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones today, as he will be missed

turd ferguson

August 29th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^

The Lions should do something to honor Kowalski, even if it's just a moment of silence at their home opener.  The guy was Lions football, and everyone at Ford Field knows who he is.

buddhafrog

August 29th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^

He had a unique attribute for a sports writer in that he seemed so accessible, so normal.  He made the Lions seem more like "my" team.  And I believe the lIons will finally have their due this year with great things coming.  I've never seen Tom cover a good Lions team.  Curious how that would have turned out.

Thanks for your effots, Killer.

LSAClassOf2000

August 29th, 2011 at 6:24 PM ^

I know I am late on this one - I was in meetings all day, came across this thread, and my jaw almost fell off.....

Very sad news. I would read his contributions every week. He even filed a report this morning. Wow.