“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live.”
The world of sports journalism and broadcasting has suffered a devastating loss today with the passing of beloved ESPN anchor, Stuart Scott, who transitioned early Sunday morning after a long, rigorous battle with cancer.
Scott joined the ESPN family in 1993 for the launch of ESPN2, where he embarked on a 21 year career as a SportsCenter staple. Outside of the studio, he’s covered major sporting events, had special 1-on-1 interviews with an array of our favorite athletes, and an exclusive sit-down with President Obama, just to name a few. In addition to clever catchphrases like “Boo-Yah!” and “As cool as the other side of the pillow…”, Scott was instrumental in the pairing sports and hip hop culture, where his personality, flair, and style engaged a more youthful audience and made athletes comfortable with being themselves. Scott was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007, where he began to fight the good fight through chemotherapy, clinical trials, and special surgeries. The cancer went into remission briefly in 2012, but returned in 2013, and he continued to fight until Sunday morning. He spoke about his battle during his acceptance speech at the 2014 ESPY’s while receiving the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.
Scott accepting the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2014 ESPYS
In a statement released this morning, ESPN President John Skipper said:
“ESPN and everyone in the sports world have lost a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure in Stuart Scott. Who engages in mixed martial arts training in the midst of chemotherapy treatments? Who leaves a hospital procedure to return to the set? His energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced.”
He is survived his two daughters, Taelor (19) and Sydni (15), girlfriend Kristin Spodobalski, siblings Stephen Scott, Synthia Kearney and Susan Scott, and his parents O. Ray and Jacqueline Scott. You can click here to watch a moving tribute to Stuart airing on ESPN throughout the morning.
Stuart Scott is a true professional, iconic figure, and larger-than-life personality. A pioneer who paved the way for African American youth who aspired to one day tackle the world of broadcasting. A stylish and smooth guy who never lost sight of who he was, making hip hop and urban culture relevant to sports and who made many athletes feel at home. An inspiration to the millions of people fighting the fight against cancer. A devoted father who refused to let cancer or anything take him away from his daughters before his time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his personal and professional family during this difficult time.
“Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight, then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you…”
Thank you for being you Mr. Scott. Rest In Power.
