Having had a successful career as a sports commentator on television and radio, Shelby Whitfield dies at the age of 77 in a rehabilitation facility in New Jersey.

Whitfield began his long career in broadcasting in College, where he announced games at the University of Texas. In 1969 he became the voice of the Senators, the Washington Post reports. Giving play by play accounts of the team's games, a year in which they did very well, finishing with a 'winning record' for the year. In 1970 he commentated 35 television games, but sadly saw the Senators lose their winning streak. 

During the 70s he also wrote a book called "Kiss It Goodbye" which was critical of the team's owner, Robert E. Short, describing him as "an intimidating, domineering person." In the 1980s, Whitfield's career stepped up a notch, and he moved to NYC to work on ABC radio, supervising the broadcasting of a variety of sports from football to basketball and horse racing. His role at the station was invaluable ad he brought in big names of sports to talk on their shows. 

Returning to his writing and publishing past, he co-wrote another book in the '90s called 'What's Wrong With Sports?' which highlighted corruption in athletics. He continued to work until his retirement in 1997. He is survived by his wife and four children.