[1][2] Heard received widespread praise for his series of reports on the integration of the Texas Longhorns football team.
[1] On August 1, 1966, Heard, who was 36 years old at the time, was shot in the arm while covering the mass shooting at the University of Texas at Austin.
[2] Heard, who had arrived on scene as a reporter for the Associated Press, was attempting to follow to Texas highway patrol offices across a parking lot when he was wounded by a bullet fired by Charles Whitman.
"[1] He continued to grant interviews on the anniversary of the shooting, but attempted to distance his professional and personal life from the tragedy.
"[1] Heard eventually left the Associated Press, but continued to work in journalism and public relations.
[1] Robert Heard died from complications of hip surgery on April 15, 2014, at the age of 84.