“Seattle Times” columnist Larry Stone writes today about local sports radio personality Dave ‘The Groz’ Grosby’s ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease. Battling health problems is not new to ‘The Groz’: in 2005 he underwent sextuple heart bypass surgery, has struggled with ulcerative colitis since age 29 & has ongoing coronary issues. And in 2018, Grosby underwent arterial-bypass surgery in his leg, followed by chronic insomnia. Recovering from & managing on a daily basis these challenges is struggle enough, but as he was on the mend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He has so far avoided the motor issues of Parkinson’s such as tremors and involuntary movements known as dyskinesia. All of this resulted in Grosby calling it a day on his 30 year career in sports radio. He joined 950 KJR in 1991 just as they moved to a full time sports format & hosted a solo show until 2008. The well-known sports personality was most recently at “710 ESPN” KIRO-AM & after his diagnosis became public, Dave reluctantly stepped down from his show with Bob Stelton & Tom Wassell. He currently does a daily spot on John Clayton’s show, serves as a substitute host as needed and maintains a digital presence at “710 ESPN”. Friends & colleagues of both stations have rallied around ‘The Groz’ to provide support at this time. He told Larry Stone: “I think I have as good an attitude as I can possibly have,” Grosby said. “In my particular case, I usually feel pretty lousy at the end of the day. It’s rough. But it’s the hand you’re dealt. I always remind myself it could have been a lot worse. I have a nice place, a wonderful wife, health care. But certainly I go through some tough times. There’s no getting around it.” ‘The Groz’ added: “The thing about Parkinson’s is, it’s coming. Parkinson’s doesn’t kill you; it stays with you. That’s why the word optimism is used a lot. For those of us with it, it’s a very tough word because although it’s not a death sentence, you have a sentence on your head. You have a life sentence. You know things are going to deteriorate, period. That’s out there, but it’s not the sort of thing I really dwell a whole lot about. You can’t control what you have, but you can control how you feel about what you have. I try to keep that in mind as much as I can.”
Radio's ultimate aural broadcast service—FM—is permanently assigned. By unanimous vote, the FCC has pegged the…
On December 4th, during a segment on CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper, host Jake…
After Bob Hale was let go from KING 5 in 1963, he worked at stations…
Former KLSY air personality, Dave Wingert, now in Omaha at KOBM FM Boomer Radio, updates…
The Official Tennessee Radio Hall Of Fame Community · (Facebook) From QZVX: October 1961 –…
View Comments
May 15, 2020 at QZVX
Bruce Caplan says:
Dave, I know it’s terrible what your experiencing everyday, but your positive attitude can be a lesson and comfort to so many others who have the same day to day challenges!
September 9, 2020 at QZVX
Alexander Folcik says:
Uncle Dave! You are one of the great storytellers that I have been fortunate enough to have heard. Thank you. Groz with Gas was how I
ended my day for over a decade, which happened to coincide with the best decade in Seattle sports history. Not many can be a legend in his own time, but you certainly qualify. Much love, brother!
December 10, 2021 at QZVX
Carol Stamatedes Mayeaux says:
Dave, I am an old CWP graduate, 1981, who always told you, “when you become famous, I can say I knew him way back when.. . .” Here is the strangest thing: I also have Parkinson’s. It has been 20 years since my first symptoms. I worked out every day when we were in college and have continued to do so. Here I an at 62, at the gym writing to you. Do you know who I am?
May 20, 2022 at QZVX
Robbie Meckler says:
Groz, I was thinking of you. It’s your old friend Robbie Meckler. We sure had fun back then. God bless you and your family.