Michael's daughter, Michelle Allen, said Michael died Thursday morning from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

"He waged his battle against cancer with the same drive and determination that made him a one-of-a-kind in the broadcasting industry," the family said in a statement. "Whether it was covering a sports story, working on his horse farm, or spending time with family and friends, he approached everything in life with passion."

Michael revolutionized local sportscasting with the use of brand new satellite technology that produced highlights from all over the country.

Known to be competitive, demanding and aggressive, Michael built a sports dynasty at Channel 4 that not only turned out local sportscasts on Channel 4 but produced a nationally syndicated Sunday night sports show.

"He had a tremendous, loyal following," says WTOP's Frank Herzog, who used to be a TV sportscaster on Channel 9.

"George fought it all the way to the end," Herzog says of Michael's cancer.

WRC released the following statement about Michael:

"George Michael was our friend and colleague for more than 25 years. He was a dynamic force around our newsroom and in the entire Washington area. George was a pioneer in sports broadcasting. He was a gifted interviewer, a master storyteller, and one of the hardest working journalists out there. Our hearts go out to his wife Pat and his daughter Michelle, both of whom also worked with us for many years, as well as the rest of his family. ‬"

Herzog says when Michael convinced WRC's management to commit to satellite technology in its infancy, he changed how sports would be covered in the news.

"The George Michael Sports Machine," which began as a late-night local feature, ran from 1980 to 2007.

The trendsetting program became the first nationally syndicated sports highlights show in 1984 and was eventually broadcast in 194 markets across the United States and in 10 foreign countries.

"When he went with Sports Machine, he went nationwide. He had cart blanche. He went everywhere. He went to Cheyenne, Wyo. for the Frontier Days Rodeo, the bull-riding, the races. He put NASCAR on the map in Washington, D.C. because nobody covered NASCAR, and the whole time he did with it this effervescence and this excitement that was just contagious," Herzog said.

Herzog says Michael "raised the standard for sportscasting in Washington, D.C., and as a result, in every local market across the country because everybody wanted to do what George did."

Washington Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder said Michael was a "consummate reporter and a valuable friend." Michael regularly interviewed the team's coaches and served as the longtime Redskins Welcome Home luncheon master of ceremonies.

"I doubt we'll ever again see a sports reporter who was so admired by the people he covered," Snyder said in statement.

Michael won more than 40 Emmy Awards and members of the "Sports Machine" staff received more than 100 Emmys for their work on the show. He also helped jump-start the TV careers of several national sports personalities, including David Aldridge, Bonnie Bernstien, Tony Kornheiser, Joe Theismann and Michael Wilbon.

The show ran until March 2007. Michael said in late 2006 that significant layoffs and staff cuts announced at NBC, which owns WRC, prompted his decision to end the show.

"I told them, that if I have to lay anyone off, if I have to get rid of any of my staff, then I'm going to take the first bullet," Michael said.

Michael continued to appear on air for the next couple of years, hosting the station's weekly half-hour shows, "Redskins Report" and "Full Court Press."

Michael's family said plans for a memorial service are not yet complete. Besides his daughter, Michelle Allen, he is survived by his wife of 31 years, Patricia, and his son, Brad.

"The passion that he brought to television was the same as he brought to being a father," Allen said. "He appreciated everything and he appreciated his fans."