As put by Rob Caputo, the nephew and godson of longtime Metro Detroit sports columnist and sports radio personality Pat Caputo, his uncle hadn’t said much publicly over the last few months because he didn’t know what to say.
Rob honored Pat on Friday by putting together a post on social media that looked back at Pat’s career and legacy. Caputo, who died Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer at age 67, had been a core piece of the Detroit sports landscape, working for 97.1 The Ticket, WJBK-TV (Channel 2) and The Oakland Press over his 40-plus years in the business.
Also discussed was Caputo’s move to the radio side, which “gave him something the print column never could.” The family explained how “it let him hear what (people) thought, take a punch from a caller, give one back, and argue about Detroit sports the way Detroit sports are supposed to be argued about — out loud, every day, on the air, with anybody who picked up the phone.”
Below is a link to the full post from Rob on behalf of Caputo’s family, discussing how Caputo went from someone who “couldn’t type” to one of the most recognizable and respected figures in the industry. The family statement included quotes from Caputo. Among the most notable: “And if I get to leave you with anything, let it be that. Whatever it is you’re up to tomorrow, do your very best at it. My very best wasn’t necessarily anybody else’s best. But it was mine, and I gave it.”
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pat Caputo’s family shares goodbye from longtime Metro Detroit sports personality
Reporting by Richard Silva, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
