10 Things You Didn’t Know about Tony Grossi

Anthony “Tony” Grossi is a renowned American radio and TV personality and sports reporter. Grossi has forged a successful career in sports journalism since his beginnings at the Cleveland Plain Dealer in the 1980’s, and is currently employed as a resident sports reporter and analyst for ESPN Cleveland, as well as an analyst on SportsTime Ohio. Grossi is perhaps best recognized as a commentator and analyst of the Cleveland Browns, a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. To discover more about Grossi’s life and work, read on find out 10 things you didn’t know about Tony Grossi.

1. Grossi was a Student of Ohio University

Grossi was born in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Ohio University from 1979. Grossi graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, setting the foundations for his future career in sports journalism.

2. Grossi started his career with the Cleveland Plain Dealer

After his graduation, Grossi secured immediate work with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the biggest daily newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. After achieving success in his role as a sports reporter, Grossi became the paper’s full time Browns beat reporter in 1984.

3. Grossi has beef with Randy Lemer

During his time as the Plain Dealer’s Browns beat reporter, Grossi sparked controversy over tweets describing the then Browns owner, Randy Lemer, as “pathetic” and “the world’s most irrelevant billionaire”. Grossi was subsequently removed from the Browns beat, and his resignation from the Plain Dealer followed shortly after.

4. Grossi’s career rose to new heights when he moved to radio

Within just 5 days of resigning his post at the Plain Dealer, Grossi was signed to sports radio station, WKNR AM 850 as Browns beat reporter and analyst. Along with its sister station, WWGK, WKNR is a Cleveland affiliate for ESPN Radio. In July 2011, WKNR announced a partnership with the Browns; 2 years later, the station became the Browns AM flagship station. Since joining the station in 2014, Grossi has taken on multiple positions, including writing for the station’s official website, covering all Brown games, and appearing as an analyst on all local programming.

5. Grossi was one of the first big signings to SportsTime Ohio

Launched in 2006, SportsTime Ohio is an American regional sports network owned by Fox Cable Networks. The channel offers statewide coverage of sporting events throughout Northern Ohio, including the Cleveland area. Grossi joined the newly created sports network in 2007, acting as the channel’s analyst on all Browns focused programming.

6. Grossi is an award winner

In 1987, Grossi won the accolade of Ohio Sportswriter of the Year, an award presented by the NSMA (National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association). During his time on SportsTime Ohio, Grossi racked up a further award when he claimed the 2007 Ohio Associated Press Sportswriter Award for Best Game Story in 2007.

7. Grossi helped the Plain Dealer achieve award success

In addition to claiming individual honors, Grossi also helped the Cleveland Plain Dealer achieve award success. During his tenure, the newspaper won the Ohio Associated Press Award for Best Daily Sports Section on three separate occasions. The paper won its first award in 2007, the second in 2010 and the final in 2011.

8. Grossi has written a book

Not happy with restricting his writing talents to the world of journalism, Grossi took on a new challenge in 2004 with the release of his first book. “Tales from the Browns Sideline” contains a comprehensive history of the team, as well as some of Grossi’s personal insights and anecdotes from his years as Browns reporter on the Plain Dealer.

9. Grossi is on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of selectors

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has served as the hall of fame for professional American football since it opened in 1963. The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognizes figures who have achieved exceptional achievement in the sport, with between 4 and 8 new individuals inducted into the Hall each year. Grossi was elected to the Hall of Fame’s committee in 1994, and has served as one of its 46 members ever since.

10. Grossi loves Twitter

Since joining the social platform in April 2009, Grossi has racked up nearly 50000 tweets and amassed over one hundred thousand followers.