*Hunter Atkins reporting for The New York Times.*

In April 2016, The Houston Chronicle hired me as an enterprise sports reporter.

Prior, I contributed to The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Forbes, with other stories published by The Wall Street Journal, ESPN The Magazine, SI.com, NationalGeographic.com, Maxim.com, Newsday, Virginia Coastal, Men's Journal, Popular Science, VICE.com and VIBE.

I got my first break at 17 years old, reporting for The Chicago Sun-Times. Hooked, I attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. I reported abroad for The Cape Times in Cape Town, South Africa, and then interned for Newsday in New York.

I graduated college in 2011 and, defeated by the surging unemployment rate, fled to Europe to run with the bulls in Pamplona. After narrowly avoiding certain death from a near-ramming, I wrote about my hair-raising experience and managed to impress then-New York Times sports editor Joe Sexton. He gave me a small opportunity, then a big one. I was off and running.

Born in Manhattan. Escaped to Brooklyn. Reporting happily in Houston.

Get to know me...

Hunter Atkins and neighborhood bestie Felicia "Snoop" Pearson. She was very sweet but still utterly terrifying. (Apparently, this is my favorite shirt.)

Shooting around with Steph Curry for Maxim.com. We did a 3-point competition. I lost. — Hunter Atkins shooting around with Steph Curry for Maxim.com. Hunter and Steph Curry did a 3-point competition. Hunter lost.

2006: My first game as a reporter, at age 17 and thin. Juan kindly settled my nerves. — 2006: Hunter Atkins’ first game as a reporter, at age 17 and thin. Juan kindly settled his nerves.

2006: When Danica Patrick was an obsession. (That pen behind my right ear looks ridiculous.) — 2006: Hunter Atkins and Danica Patrick.

2013: Seek the thrill of the story--outrunning seven herds of bulls with Kenny Mayne. — 2013: Hunter Atkins with Kenny Mayne, seeking the thrill of the story--outrunning seven herds of bulls.

That time HBO's "Hard Knocks" captured my hair and outstretched palm on film as I recorded Mark Sanchez's "Rex-has-faith-in-me-and-I-have-faith-in-him" answer. — That time HBO's "Hard Knocks" captured Hunter Atkins’ hair and outstretched palm on film, as Hunter recorded Mark Sanchez's "Rex-has-faith-in-me-and-I-have-faith-in-him" answer.

Again, captured on "Hard Knocks," this time looking like one of Val Kilmer's disguises in The Saint. — Hunter Atkins again, captured on "Hard Knocks," this time looking like one of Val Kilmer's disguises in The Saint.

Covering the FDNY vs. NYPD boxing match for The Wall Street Journal. I kind of have a thing for axes. (Photo: John Taggart) — Hunter Atkins covering the FDNY vs. NYPD boxing match for The Wall Street Journal. I kind of have a thing for axes. (Photo: John Taggart)

Covering the STIHL Timbersports Series for National Geographic. At least the shirt is appropriate for this photo. — Hunter Atkins covering the STIHL Timbersports Series for National Geographic. At least the shirt is appropriate for this photo.

Cooking in Mississippi with Chefs Ed Lee and David Crews for The Delta Supper Club (Photo: Rory Doyle) — Hunter Atkins cooking in Mississippi with Chefs Ed Lee and David Crews for The Delta Supper Club (Photo: Rory Doyle)