By Shealagh Sullivan
Contributing Writer
NORTHBOROUGH — Bob Ryan has covered 20 NBA Finals, 11 Olympic Games, and so many World Series that he jokes he lost count.
His latest assignment? The Northborough Senior Center.
Ryan stopped by the Northborough senior center in October to give a talk to local residents: “Why Are We So Crazy About Sports?” Ryan discussed the cultural impact of sports; talked with locals about his career, thoughts on artificial intelligence, and sports betting; and pondered what the future of sports looks like.
“These are my people,” Ryan told the Fifty Plus Advocate. “I love that I don’t have to explain my references.”
Ryan was invited to the center by the Friends of the Northborough Senior Center.
“We always like reading his stuff. It’s really good,” said Vin Femia, the Friends’ communication coordinator.
Ryan has been called a “quintessential sportswriter,” having written for The Boston Globe since 1968. Though he retired in 2012, Ryan is a columnist emeritus at the Globe.
After graduating from Boston College, Ryan kickstarted his career as a sports intern at the Globe. Throughout his career, he covered virtually every major sport, though he was known for his basketball coverage, particularly of the 1970s Boston Celtics. He’s published 14 books and was named Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association four times.
Ryan told the Senior Center it was all just meant to be.
“I don’t ever remember a time in my life where we weren’t at a game, going to a game, or getting ready to go to a game, you know?” Ryan said. “So was it planted in me. My destiny was set early. I’m very grateful for it.”
While he’ll always remember covering the playoffs and championships, it was the stories of individuals that have stuck with him the most, Ryan told Northborough residents.
“I’ve been really lucky,” Ryan said.
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