Robert Lee Heard ( April 10 , 1930 – April 15 , 2014 ) was an American writer , journalist and reporter for the '' Associated Press '' , who covered politics , government and sports news in Texas for the wire service . Heard was shot and wounded by Charles Whitman on August 1 , 1966 , while covering Whitman 's attack on the University of Texas at Austin for the '' Associated Press '' . Heard received widespread praise for his series of reports on the integration of the Texas Longhorns football team . He also authored several books , focusing on sports and politics
Whitman 's attack
University of Texas tower shooting
Robert Heard