The Canadian sports world is in mourning Sunday with the passing of Bill Watters at the age of 83.
Watters was a longtime contributor at TSN, Sportsnet and The Fan in addition to a player agent and an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs for more than a decade.
“Wilbur was often the life of the party… on and off the air. Knowledgeable, connected and bombastic in the best way possible. Working with Bill was, as Jeff [Marek] describes, an education and a pleasure. Rest, Willy” wrote TSN’s Darren Dreger in a heartfelt post on X remembering Watters.
Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun called Watters “one of a kind” Sunday in a message shared on social media.
Longtime Leafs play-by-play voice Joe Bowen also posted a tribute to Watters, calling him one of his dearest friends.
“He taught me so much about the business of hockey,” wrote Bowen.
Watters also was a star fullback and linebacker for the Toronto Varsity Blues football team and was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL Draft, but did not pursue professional football, instead becoming a teacher before his career working in sports.
Watters was elected into the University of Toronto’s Hall of Fame in 1997.