Detroit sports fans are grieving today after longtime columnist, broadcaster, and radio voice Pat Caputo revealed that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, a condition he described as commonly referred to as a “death sentence.” In an emotional public message, Caputo shared that the illness struck suddenly and led to multiple serious complications that placed him in the ICU for several days, leaving him bedridden for weeks.
For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days. It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.
— Pat Caputo (@patcaputo98) January 5, 2026
Caputo, now in his mid-60s, has been a pillar of Detroit sports media for more than four decades. Raised in St. Clair Shores and later Birmingham, he attended Groves High School before graduating from Michigan State University. His journalism career began at The Oakland Press in 1983, where he covered the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and later became the paper’s sports columnist. Even after his departure from the paper in 2020, he continued his impact as a voice for Detroit sports through WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket) and various television and podcast platforms…