John Underwood, the Sports Illustrated writer who helped legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant write his autobiography, died earlier this month at his home in Miami. He was 88.

“The New York Times” reported the news, citing his wife, Donna Underwood, confirmed the death, but did not cite a specific cause.

Underwood worked with Bryant on the coach’s 1974 autobiography, “Bear: The Hard Life and Good Times of Alabama’s Coach Bryant.” The book is still available at Amazon.

The latest edition “features a new introduction and an accompanying audio CD of Bryant himself, in his own voice, talking about his life and football. From his youth as the third youngest of 13 children of a dirt-poor farmer in Moro Bottom, Arkansas, to his playing days at the University of Alabama and marriage to Mary Harmon Black, to his first stabs at coaching as an assistant coach, to his 38 years as a head coach, coaching marquis names like Namath and Crow and Parilli, to his 323 victories and a record six National Championships.”

He’s also known for a fishing trip in Florida with baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams, which led to the two collaborating on a couple of writing projects. According to The Times, Underwood developed a friendship with Williams during a fishing trip the Florida Keys in 1967. The friendship resulted Williams agreeing to let Underwood help him write his autobiography, “My Turn at Bat: The Story of My Life” (1969), a New York Times best seller.

Underwood, who joined “Sports Illustrated” in 1961, covered college football, boxing, golf, baseball and professional football, as well as the impact of gambling on sports, players and fans.

Check out the full obit here.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.