Sports was the backbone of my entertainment growing up. I can remember at 10 years old, waking up and turning on SportsCenter to see what the Astros did. I’d watch for a full hour for the 30 seconds to hear what the team did the night before. SportsCener always had some of the coolest personalities doing their news. Stuart Scott was an broadcaster who joined ESPN in 1993 and I remember him bringing a flair to the desk that I’d never seen before.
He had these great catchphrases that would be heard on playgrounds and schoolyards throughout he country. Playing basketball with some friends at their house, you’d be sure to hear a “BOOYAH!” or “What had had happened was…” Stuart Scott became a favorite to many and hosted many different shows when not on SportsCenter.
I heard the news yesterday morning about Stu’s passing while watching ESPN when they broke the news that cancer had taken their friend at the age of 49. Surrounded by friends on a beautiful Sunday morning, I couldn’t help but cry. I’d never met Stuart Scott, but he impacted me growing up and getting into broadcasting. He was himself when he was on the air. He wouldn’t bow to the way everyone else did it. He wanted to put his style into the business. I’ve tried my best to do the same thing, be who I am and not apologize for not being like everyone else.
ESPN’s Hannah Storm broke the news to the world live on air:
Rich Eisen on the NFL Network spent many years on the air with Stuart Scott. While he was live on the air, he broke the news to his audience:
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Stuart Scott and a special prayer to his 2 daughters. I understand how hard it is for cancer to steal your father. It’s not an easy thing and will always be with them. I hope they are able to find peace in knowing that their father was a special man who fought hard and inspired many with his speech at this years ESPY Awards when he received Jimmy V Perseverance Award.
In his speech, Stuart gave words that I’ll never forget when it comes to cancer and the fight that so many people have:
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. – Stuart Scott
You don’t “lose” to cancer was such a great way to think about it to me. If you fight cancer, if you love your life and your family, you’re not going to lose to cancer, even if it takes your life. You win by showing everyone that it’s a part of you, but it doesn’t define who you are. You win because you could be an inspiration to people all over the world because you don’t let cancer take your life and throw it away.
God bless Stuart Scott for being an inspiration. God be with his daughters and family in this time of hurt. God bless those who are working tirelessly to give us more time with our loved ones battling cancer.