THE Washington Commanders are in mourning after a longtime writer died unexpectedly aged 65.

Rick Snider passed away on Tuesday following a stroke on August 11.

He had been covering the Washington beat since 1978.

The journalist reported on the NFL team, college, high school sports, and horse racing .

Snider worked for the Washington Post Express, SI.com and 106.7 The Fan.

He also contributed columns on the Commanders at Yardbarker, along with the Washington Times.

The NFL team released a touching tribute to him on Tuesday.

"On behalf of the entire Commanders organization, we want to offer our condolences to the family and friends of Rick Snider, who passed away today," read a Commanders statement.

"Rick was a consummate professional who covered the franchise with class for ove

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