Dallas ? Sports writer and columnist Blackie Sherrod is retiring from The Dallas Morning News after nearly 60 years in journalism.

The 83-year-old Sherrod disclosed his plans in his final column Thursday.

“I’ve had a job for 72 years, since I was 11 years old,” he said Friday. “I’ve been working long enough.”

Sherrod is a 16-time winner of the Texas Sportswriter of the Year Award and a recipient of the national Red Smith Award for lifetime achievement.

“When you talk about legendary sports columnists, you routinely refer to such greats as Grantland Rice, Jimmy Cannon, Jim Murray and, of course, Red Smith,” said Dave Smith, executive sports editor of the Morning News. “But the list must also include the name Blackie Sherrod.”