The Washington sports media community lost one of its most dedicated voices Tuesday when Rick Snider passed away peacefully. The veteran journalist suffered a stroke on August 11 and never regained consciousness. He was writing sports columns until his final days.
Rick embodied everything great about old-school sports journalism. He worked harder than anyone. Rick just cared more. He treated every story like it mattered because to him, it did.
Few reporters chronicled the Washington Commanders’ journey as closely and consistently as Rick Snider. His byline appeared everywhere that mattered: 106.7 The Fan, The Washington Post, Yardbarker, and countless other outlets. He never stopped grinding.
A Career Built on Relentless Dedication
Dennis Tuttle, Rick’s friend of 38 years, captured his essence perfectly: “Godspeed to @Snide_Remarks, the hardest-working guy I know,” Tuttle wrote Tuesday. They rarely went more than a few days without staying in touch. That was Rick – always connected, always working, always caring.
Rick wasn’t just a sports reporter. He was a licensed Washington tour guide since 2010 – authored eleven books. He produced podcasts. The man never slowed down because he genuinely loved what he did.
His work extended beyond athletics too. Rick won the 2002 Dateline Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for his coverage of the 9/11 attacks. Excellence followed him across every beat he covered.
More Than Just a Reporter
What made Rick special wasn’t just his prolific output. It was how he treated people. NFL podcaster Matt Cones shared how Rick would always send copies of his latest books with personal messages. “This one stuck with me and always will,” Cones wrote. “I’m gonna miss him for sure and the world won’t be the same without him.”
That personal touch defined Rick’s approach. He remembered names -he followed up -he made connections that lasted decades.
My Connection With Rick
My personal anecdote on Rick is a very personal one to me. Not long ago, I got booked into the hospital to have my heart checked on. It wasn’t good. I needed bypass surgery. Badly. In fact I needed emergency surgery as the blockages were so bad. They told me that I needed to have the surgery IMMEDIATELY as the situation was quite dire.
The following day, the entire hospital was put on lockdown for a Covid outbreak IN the hospital. My surgery was on hold until further notice despite the emergent nature. With me trapped in the hospital to boot.
That proved quite difficult mentally. No guests allowed in to the hospital – unable to go out anywhere – the walls really started to close in on me. By the time surgery day drew close weeks later, I was pretty worried. I tweeted as much in February of 2022.
Rick Contacts Me
When I awoke from the surgery, there were well wishes from many people in many different forms. But one thing that stuck out, was a follow from Rick on Twitter. I followed him back. No sooner had I done so when I got a message from Rick: “You got this.”
There were messages from others in the Washington press corps too, but this one seemed more personal. To me anyway. I immediately responded with a thank you and half-expected that to be the extent of our correspondence. But it wasn’t.
Rick informed me that he too had had the same surgery at one time. That it wasn’t, “as bad as you might think.” That was valuable given the state I was in. Chest still screaming, almost incapable of moving due to all of the stuff going in and out of me. It seemed pretty bad to me.
But there was something incredible soothing about this man – whose work I had always enjoyed and respected – who was now helping me see the things to come. He’d been through it and was here to talk about it. And not only that, he was one of the hardest working guys on the beat. It didn’t slow him down. There was tremendous inspiration in that.
It Helped Me Tremendously
It’s hard to quantify how much that mattered to me. Not just that he was taking the time to help me, but the message he brought as well.
Over the coming months, we went back and forth by private message about a lot of things – dietary changes and improvements – trying to re-build strength – exercises.
The most valuable thing about all of it, was how natural it was. It never seemed forced or obligatory.
Ultimately, my health things got better.
Even then, we stayed in touch and would go back and forth about things in our lives.
We became friends.
As I sit back and reflect on what he meant to me, I realize fully the value of his actions. My Dad was already passed. And in many ways Rick took on a very paternal role. To a near total stranger.
What a special person.
The Commanders Beat Will Never Be the Same
Rick covered Washington football through every era. From the Redskins glory days to the painful Dan Snyder years to the hopeful Josh Harris transition. He witnessed championship celebrations and decades of disappointment. His perspective spanned generations.
Even during his final weeks, Rick was still writing. Still analyzing. Still caring about every roster move and coaching decision. His dedication never wavered.
Washington sports media has lost institutional knowledge that can’t be replaced. Rick understood this city’s relationship with its teams better than almost anyone. His voice provided context and continuity through constant change.
A Legacy of Hard Work and Kindness
Rick Snider represented everything noble about sports journalism. He worked tirelessly because he respected his readers. Relationships were built because he genuinely cared about people. He never stopped learning because he loved the craft.
The tributes pouring in Tuesday revealed Rick’s true impact. Colleagues, players, and fans all shared similar stories. Rick made time for everyone. He remembered details that mattered to others. He treated every interaction like it was important.
“We were friends for 38 years, worked on many projects together,” Dennis Tuttle wrote. That consistency defined Rick’s entire approach. He showed up every day for nearly four decades.
John Keim’s tweets were poignant, sad, and heartfelt.
Saying Goodbye to a True Professional
Rick passed away Tuesday afternoon surrounded by the love he had given so freely throughout his life. His family, friends, and colleagues knew they had lost someone irreplaceable.
The Washington sports landscape feels different without Rick’s voice. His Twitter handle @Snide_Remarks won’t deliver another breaking news update. His byline won’t appear on another game recap. The silence feels deafening already.
But Rick’s legacy lives on in every relationship he built and every story he told. He showed an entire generation what dedicated sports journalism looks like.
Work hard. Care deeply. Treat people right. Never stop learning.
We will miss you Rick. Godspeed.
Rick Snider, longtime Washington sports reporter, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2025, after suffering a stroke on August 11. He was a veteran journalist, author of 11 books, licensed tour guide, and winner of the 2002 Dateline Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
My father, Bill McCaffrey was friends with Mr. Snider, prior to my father’s own passing in 2013. I met Mr. Snider twice, he was a very nice guy and great person to talk sports with.