Unexpected: Michigan media Detroit Lions reporter dies

Tom Kowalski, who covered the Detroit Lions for media in Michigan died today, Aug. 29. 2011.

The Grand Rapids Press posted an article about his death and role in Michigan media at mlive.com: Tom Kowalski longtime Detroit Lions reporter, dies

The 51-year-old started covering the pro football team in 1985 while working at the Oakland Press. He began covering the Lions for Booth Newspapers in 1997, according to the article.

Kowalski (aka "Killer") is also the Lions insider to WDFN-AM Detroit, WJBK-TV,Detroit, WRIF-FM Detroit, and The Sporting News.

More coverage and reactions is being added online on the  Mlive.com Lions page.
and national sports sites also are reporting on his death.

Over on his Twitter stream, one of his last Tweets:

TomKowalski36 Tom Kowalski OK fellas, here we go ... Sleep well, I'll most likely kill you in the morning ...
17 hours ago

Some of his recent coverage of the Detroit Lions is archived.

The Booth Newspaper chain includes the Ann Arbor News, Bay City Times, Flint Journal, Grand Rapids Press, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Kalamazoo Gazette, Muskegon Chronicle, and Saginaw News. Booth is part of Advance Publications.