Dave Klein, a longtime sportswriter who covered the New York Giants for The Star-Ledger and reported on the first 54 Super Bowls, passed away on Wednesday.
Steve Politi of NJ.com reflected on Klein’s remarkable career, which began when he joined The Star-Ledger in 1961.
“For years, Klein’s NFL picks column ran every Sunday during the season, offering both insightful analysis and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor,” Politi wrote. “He was part of a golden era in the paper’s sports department, covering everything from the Olympics to the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, as well as Rutgers’ thrilling run to the 1976 Final Four.”
Klein reported on every Super Bowl from the inaugural game in 1967—where the Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10—up through Super Bowl LIV in 2020, when the Chiefs topped the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. During that span, he covered all four of the Giants’ Super Bowl victories.
Politi also shared reactions from the Giants and former head coach Bill Parcells, who led the team to its first two championships.
We’re saddened by the news of Dave’s passing,” the Giants said in a statement. “He spent much of his career covering our team and keeping our fans informed. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and readers.”
Parcells added, “I always had a good relationship with Dave. He was a pleasure to be around and brought a lot of New Jersey sports history with him. I appreciated his insight—those veteran beat writers carry a deep understanding of the team, and Dave certainly had that. I really enjoyed working with him.”
Klein’s passing has prompted an outpouring of respect and remembrance from those who knew and admired his work.
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