Philadelphia Inquirer's Olivia Reiner Awarded 2026 Terez Paylor Emerging Writer Honor

Olivia Reiner, who covers the Eagles for the Philadelphia Inquirer, has been honored with the 2026 Terez A. Paylor Emerging Writer Award by the Professional Football Writers of America. Reiner is the seventh recipient of this prestigious award and notably the first from the Philadelphia Inquirer to achieve this recognition.

The Terez Paylor Award is bestowed upon a promising young NFL journalist who embodies the dedication, professionalism, and work ethic exemplified by the late Terez Paylor, who passed away in 2021 at the young age of 37. The award also emphasizes a commitment to enhancing diversity within the NFL media landscape.

Reiner joined the Inquirer as the Eagles beat writer in 2023, following her tenure as the Flyers beat reporter from 2021 to 2023, where she was recognized as the NSMA Pennsylvania Sportswriter of the Year. Her background also includes experience at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from 2019 to 2021, where she reported on teams like the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks, earning accolades for her video work on the Packers. Additionally, she reported on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for USA Today.

Other contenders for the 2026 Paylor Award included Ashley Bastock from cleveland.com/Cleveland Plain Dealer and Giana Han from the Baltimore Banner.