Longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, well-known for his boisterous style and trademark phrases on ESPN Sportscenter, died early Sunday morning from cancer-related complications. Scott was only 49, and leaves behind 2 daughters with his ex-wife.
The news began to break by mid-morning, as NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, who along with Scott invigorated late-night broadcasts on Sportscenter with their unique blend of humor, wisecracking, and chemistry, and then Hannah Storm announced his death. The grief and emotion were clear on their faces and in their voices, as sports fans everywhere started to come to terms with this loss.
(NFL Network/YouTube)
(ESPN/YouTube)
In 2007, Scott underwent an emergency appendectomy, where it was discovered that he had some cancerous tissue. From that point on, it became a recurring battle for him, even after 58 chemotherapy treatments and 3 abdominal surgeries. The cancer resurfaced in 2010, and then again in 2013. He fought hard, and the high regard he was held in by his fellow sportscasters was only magnified by the respect and love he garnered during this time. Through social networking, on-air tributes, and culminating with his recognition with the Jimmy V Award at the 2014 ESPYs, viewers and fans were kept abreast of how Scott was doing, even as his condition was deteriorating and he made fewer and fewer public and on-air appearances.
(ESPN/YouTube)
As part of his acceptance speech at the ESPYs, Scott said the following:
“When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.”
In that case, Stuart……..BOO-YAH, you won. And you’ll always be as cool as the other side of the pillow.
EDITORIAL NOTE
Make no mistake: this was not just some sportscaster the sports world lost today. Stuart Scott may never have played a down in the NFL or made a layup in the NBA or hit an MLB base-hit against the big boys, but as one of the most-recognizable faces among the select group of individuals whom we allowed into our living rooms every night to fill us in on the exploits of the best to play their respective sports, Scott was living the dream of millions of sports fans – if we weren’t skilled enough to play with them, how great would it be to have the type of access he had to athletes everywhere?
Scott joined ESPN shortly after I first moved to America. At the time, ESPN was beginning to grow its brand and had launched the brand new network ESPN2. He was one of the first on-air personalities counted on to boost the profile of “The Deuce.” It was a marriage made in heaven – ESPN2 was targeting younger audiences, and the early days were meant to bring an injection of energy and attitude to the sportscasting world. Scott was part of a group who certainly brought that edge to ESPN, and his early work impressed the network enough that he earned a promotion of sorts to the Sportscenter desk with Eisen. The rest, as they say, is history.
Stuart Scott was no Cronkite or Murrow, but in a world with a much narrower focus on its area of news, he was no less of a revolutionary. It was not just about the catchphrases – it had far more to do with the way in which he helped usher in a whole new style of sportscasting. Before him, reporting on sports news was merely a retelling of highlights. With him came the approach of making each highlight a unique event. What was once staid and droning became hip and abuzz with energy. Scott brought a relevance and attitude to sportscasting that can be seen around the industry today, from ESPN all the way down to local sports reporters and beat writers.
I struggle to hold back the tears as I write this. I have never even met the man, but as a huge sports fan and having lost both of my parents to the scourge that is cancer, I feel like I have lost a good friend today. There is not much logic in saying and feeling so, but that is precisely where my heart is today. There is much to celebrate from Scott’s life, but today, the sense of loss has left a gaping hole.
In closing, I will merely state what I am sure ESPN President John Skipper already knows: ESPN as a brand has many people to thank for its rise in not just the broadcasting world, but in the sporting world as well. Stuart belongs on that shortlist.
Friends, go hug a sports fan today. Hug a family member. Hug a loved one. As Stuart talked about in his speech – help someone with their fight.
(Feature Image: John Shearer/Invision/AP)