Tom is a former sports writer for the Tampa Tribune. He spent 10 years covering Florida State football, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the PGA Tour. He won two national writing awards from the Golf Writers Association of America.
During his Tribune days, he had personal interviews with Jack Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali, Bear Bryant, Don Shula, and a long list of legendary athletes. During the 1979 Florida State football season, coach Bobby Bowden dubbed Edrington his "personal good-luck charm." It was an incredible season for FSU and culminated with the national championship game in the old Miami Orange Bowl where the Seminoles were defeated by the Barry Switzer-coached Oklahoma squad led by Heismann Trophy winner Billy Sims.
Tom was fortunate to chronicle at least half of Jack Nicklaus' major championships.
The former writer is writing again, emerging from retirement and looking for new journalistic challenges. One of his most recent submissions was included in the New York Times best-selling series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, resolutions edition. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.
Tom is an alum of McLean High School in McLean, Va. and East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.
Jim Leavitt's self-described "up and down" South Florida football team was exactly that on Saturday against Louisville. The Bulls were up more than they were down and B.J...
Wow, for a man with your resume and pedigree, it is indeed an honor to have you read my work and become a fan. I had not seen your work until today, and I am now a fan of yours as well. Thank you for becoming a part of Bleacher Report and we hope to see more fantastic things from you in the future!
Larry Burton
36 days ago
Hi Tom, how are you?
I haven't felt much like writing lately, but I've been reading, and this is one I think you can appreciate:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/265091-crazy-canton-cuts-don-coryell
Don Coryell assuredly blongs in the HoF!
50 days ago
Tom, it's been ages since we last talked! Just dropped by to say hi. How are you? Hope all is going well there, take care.
62 days ago
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/246155-ryan-moore-rebel-without-a-contract-clause
80 days ago
Yup, USF is Syracuse's first Big East game as well. I'm just hoping it will be a more competitive game than it's been in recent years.
87 days ago
Tom - Thanks for the welcome! You are one of the few that know Oglethorpe, but we are slowly making a name for ourselves! Great school and great golf program! I see you have had a wonderful career in journalism...the chance to cover so much of Jack Nicklaus must have been incredible. I'm just getting into the golf writing world myself, but I'm excited, intriqued, and looking forward to writing more! Any advice/feedback you have is much appreciated.
Best,
Taylor
94 days ago
Hey Tom. My latest article, "The official Bleacher Report Handbook"
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/208736-the-official-bleacher-report-handbook/show_full
A must read! Hope you'll find time and have a look. Thanks :)
145 days ago
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. The Sioux nickname situation is a mess right now. I have no idea what's going to happen but it sounds like their trying to reach an agreement with tribe. Yes I do cherish every moment with my dad because you never know what crazy turn life will throw you.
146 days ago
Tom,
I enjoyed you slide show on Lucas and wanted to say thank you for reading my take and commenting, even if you disagree. You response was rational and thoughtful, and I truly appreciate quality comments that don't agree with my take. Too many times people will just spew from the heart with no disregard for what comes out. I wasn't surprised that you have had an extensive career covering the PGA, considering the passion that I could feel in your comment. Hopefully I will be lucky enough to cover an Open in the future and talk to 1/10th of the great athletes that you have. I look forward to reading your work in the future. Thanks again. (Sorry, but the only thing I can't support is your alliance with ECU!! -- I'm playing baseball at UNC next year, that's the only reason!)
Teddy
152 days ago
Thank you so much Tom, your words really mean a lot to me. I'm absolutely flattered to know that such an established & talented writer, found my work worthy of such high praise. It was indeed a straight from the heart kind of a thing, the words just flowed, I knew it was something special. The AOTD award, yes, feels good. But the best thing about it, was to know that people could really relate to it. I got a lot of comments/messages saying how they could identify with a certain instance in it or the other. That alone made my day!
Thanks again, have a great week ahead. Keep in touch my friend. Take care.
156 days ago
Tom, it's always a pleasure to meet a fellow Navy Brat! Small world... I spent three years in McLean and my sis is a fellow Highlander alumnus as well!
I would love to chat sometime about your experiences in journalism. As I am just re-entering the field, I think it's important to try and pull as much from other writers as possible. I always try to keep an active student mentality and learn from everyone - particularly an experienced vet such as yourself, so let me know...
Cheers!
gb
163 days ago
Great Debate: Gold Medal
Who's Ohio's Best Football Team: Ohio S…
Received 100 comments • October 07, 2009
Great Debate: Silver Medal
Hey Notre Dame: How'd That One Taste?
Received 50 comments • November 07, 2009
Great Debate: Silver Medal
Tiger Taken To The Woodshed By ESPN's R…
Received 50 comments • July 22, 2009
Great Debate: Bronze Medal
Ricky Bell: The Unsung Hero of the 1979…
Received 25 comments • November 05, 2009
Hot Read: Bronze Medal
Who's Ohio's Best Football Team: Ohio S…
Received 1,000 Reads • October 07, 2009
Great Debate: Bronze Medal
Buccaneers Will Face Angry Bills And Si…
Received 25 comments • September 15, 2009
Hot Read: Bronze Medal
Chicago Bears Ready To Sign Derrick Brooks?
Received 1,000 Reads • September 14, 2009
Hot Read: Bronze Medal
Cowboys-Buccaneers: Why Tampa Bay Can B…
Received 1,000 Reads • September 08, 2009
Great Debate: Bronze Medal
Confessions of a Solheim Cup Watcher
Received 25 comments • August 24, 2009
Great Debate: Bronze Medal
USF Takes Weak Stance On Football Field…
Received 25 comments • August 13, 2009
Hot Read: Bronze Medal
With Tony Dungy's Blessing, Michael Vic…
Received 1,000 Reads • July 28, 2009
Hot Read: Bronze Medal
Could Derrick Brooks Join the New York …
Received 1,000 Reads • June 30, 2009
You must register in order for that functionality to work!
i.e. San Francisco Giants, SEC Football, NFL, Golf
Ron Tepper said...
DeleteTom
Really enjoyed the ricky Bell article.
I remember him well. I wroked here at Pittsburgh Steelers Headquarters for Myron Cope as a researcher
16 days ago