George Michael Dies

George Michael, 70, a high-rated and hyperanimated Washington sportscaster whose extensive use of game highlights from across the country on his nationally syndicated show has now become the norm in the industry, died Thursday at Sibley Memorial Hospital. He had chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

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He was a rock-and-roll disc jockey in Philadelphia before being offered a job in 1974 as a radio personality on WABC in New York. He was making great money, about $65,000 annually, but his personal life unraveled. His first wife, Patricia, left him and their children, he said, telling The Post, "She ran away to Mexico with an 18-year-old." Alimony payments left him constantly on the "verge of bankruptcy," he said.

He later married Pat Lackman, a writer who became a key partner in her husband's on-air career. She survives, along with two children from his first marriage, Brad and Michelle. A full list of survivors could not be confirmed.

Rest In Peace, George.