John Robertson
March 12, 1934 – January 25, 2014
Inducted 1992
Primary Outlet
Winnipeg Free Press, CBC-TV (Winnipeg)
John Robertson was a distinguished Canadian sports journalist, author and community leader whose career touched nearly every major city in Canada.
Born in Winnipeg on March 12, 1934, he began his journalism journey in 1956 at the Winnipeg Free Press and went on to work for the Regina Leader-Post and Winnipeg Tribune. His gift for storytelling and strong presence in the sports world made him a respected figure in every newsroom he entered.
In 1973, Robertson earned a National Newspaper Award for his insightful sports writing. He hosted 24 Hours on CBC-TV in Winnipeg from 1977-82, and later served as a radio host in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary. Along the way, he wrote columns for the Montreal Star, Toronto Sun and Toronto Star, covering baseball, football and hockey, including extensive work on the Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays.
Robertson is also recognized as the founder of the Manitoba Marathon in 1979, originally established to support a charity for individuals with intellectual disabilities following a 1978 fire at the Manitoba Development Centre in Portage la Prairie which claimed the lives of 11 people. The event has since grown into a signature city-wide festival with thousands of participants.
After retiring from journalism in 1990 due to health concerns, Robertson moved to Winnipeg Beach. He remained a cherished mentor and community advocate until his passing on Jan. 25, 2014 in Gimli.
John Robertson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1992.
Born in Winnipeg on March 12, 1934, he began his journalism journey in 1956 at the Winnipeg Free Press and went on to work for the Regina Leader-Post and Winnipeg Tribune. His gift for storytelling and strong presence in the sports world made him a respected figure in every newsroom he entered.
In 1973, Robertson earned a National Newspaper Award for his insightful sports writing. He hosted 24 Hours on CBC-TV in Winnipeg from 1977-82, and later served as a radio host in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary. Along the way, he wrote columns for the Montreal Star, Toronto Sun and Toronto Star, covering baseball, football and hockey, including extensive work on the Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays.
Robertson is also recognized as the founder of the Manitoba Marathon in 1979, originally established to support a charity for individuals with intellectual disabilities following a 1978 fire at the Manitoba Development Centre in Portage la Prairie which claimed the lives of 11 people. The event has since grown into a signature city-wide festival with thousands of participants.
After retiring from journalism in 1990 due to health concerns, Robertson moved to Winnipeg Beach. He remained a cherished mentor and community advocate until his passing on Jan. 25, 2014 in Gimli.
John Robertson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1992.