Penner was the subject of news stories around the world when he said in 2007 that he didn't considere himself a man and that he would continue his sports writing career under the byline Christine Daniels. In 2008, however, he started living as a man again and using the name Mike Penner again. He was very public about his first gender change, but mostly private about changing back.
"He was one of the most talented writers I've ever worked with. He was a gentle man, a kind man," James said. "It's just a tragedy."In 2007, Penner wrote, "I am a transsexual sportswriter. It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words."
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