The entire sports world woke up this morning to hear the heart-wrenching news that long-time ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott had lost his eight-year battle with cancer.
Stuart Scott joined ESPN in 1993, where he quickly rose in the ranks. Soon, Scott became one of the network’s main anchors on the set of SportsCenter because of his innovative style and approach to the profession. Whether it was his unique phrases as he analyzed highlights or his unparalleled innovation, Stuart Scott forever changed the delivery and style of sports broadcasting.
By 2008, Scott was eminent among ESPN’s programming; anchoring late-night SportsCenter shows, hosting NFL Monday Night Countdown, NBA on ESPN, and interviewing athletes from all walks of life.
It was a seemingly chaotic and busy work schedule that only a person like Scott could withstand, not to mention doing so while battling insurmountable odds. In November 2007, Stuart was diagnosed with cancer. The vicious disease reappeared in 2011 and he took to Twitter, announcing that he was undergoing chemotherapy. The outpouring of support from co-workers, fellow journalists, athletes, and persons around the country was remarkable. In December of 2012, the cancer returned and Stuart began to share more public details about his fight.
“When they told me I had cancer — a very rare form called appendiceal cancer — I was shocked. But I went straight into battle mode. Every morning I’d wake up and have an internal conversation with cancer. “All right, dude,” I’d tell it, “go ahead and hit me. But I’m going to hit you back even harder.” That was in 2007, and I beat it. My cancer went into remission. It came back in 2011, and I fought it and beat it again. It recently came back a third time. To be honest, I’m scared. I’ve always been afraid of cancer, but this time feels different.”
In January of 2013, he told USA TODAY about his routine. Scott explained that he only missed his ESPN workdays for chemo treatments every other Monday. That in itself seems bold and extraordinary, but for Scott, it wasn’t enough. Following his Monday treatments, he would train at a mixed-martial arts gym.
“By ‘post-chemo workout,’ I don’t mean a few days after a session of chemotherapy. I don’t even mean a few hours. I mean right after chemo.” Scott explained to Men’s Health in March of 2013. Scott explained that because of his growing fear, he began to depend on his post-chemo workouts even more.
Despite his grave fear and the seemingly impossible odds he was up against, giving up was never an option for Stuart Scott. He refused to let cancer, a disease which would eventually take his life and everything he knew away from him, dictate how he would lived. He continued to do what he loved; watch and commentate the sports games he loved so much, spend time with his girls, train his body like the athletes he covered, all with a smile on his face.
In July of 2014, Stuart Scott was the recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY’s. I could continue on, but Scott spoke beautifully about it in his acceptance speech.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl_0ieqSi7Q
It’s difficult to follow that speech up with any better words to honor a man of Stuart’s humble and determined character. For me, or anyone else to sit here and say that we are saddened to hear the awful news of Stuart Scott’s loss to cancer; we’re wrong. Stuart Scott did beat cancer. As he so vividly said in his speech, “When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.” He explained that the only way we can lose anything in life, is by giving up. Stuart finished his speech talking about his two daughters as the best thing he has ever done; his reason to never give up. His entire speech, much like his entire life, was one of absolute amazement.
For me, and many others, Stuart Scott was the reason we stayed up on school nights listening to his innovative style and sound. He is the reason and inspiration that has led me to where I am today, doing what I love. Stuart Scott taught us many things; to never take a day for granted, to look at every challenge we face and accept it, embrace it, and fight it. And above all else, never ever give up.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on twitter @Jhumms8. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
