It was with great sadness to discover that legendary ESPN anchor and journalist Stuart Scott has passed away at the age of 49 this morning. Scott battled cancer for seven years, but continued to grace us with his presence throughout his fight, and lit up our television sets until he could no more.
Scott rose to national acclaim when he joined the ESPN networks in 1993 after local reporting stints in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Orlando. Scott’s journey through ESPN began as the host of SportsNight, and eventually led to an iconic career as an anchor for SportsCenter, often alongside co-anchor Rich Eisen.
Besides his SportsCenter presence, Scott was heavily featured in NBA and NFL coverage, along with other programming.
For us fans, viewers, and admirers of Scott, counting his accolades and rattling off his impressive resume is the least of things we will remember Scott for. Instead, it was the cultural impact Stewart left that will never die, seeing a man take a widely popular television program by storm in his very own way. His perfectly placed “Booyah!” catchphrase, hip-hop-infused references, and vibrant movements throughout his reporting is what will touch generations to come.
The world of sports has always been one that has brought people of all colors and lifestyles together. With ESPN being one of the universal centers of the sports world, Scott’s ability to take risks, make people from urban backgrounds feel included, and have a voice in the conversation is what made him the beloved figure he will always be.
Perhaps the one accolade that mattered to Scott more than anything else was his ability to a father to his two daughters Taelor and Sydni. He often shouted them out whenever he got the chance and showed a love for them that only a father would ever understand.
During his acceptance speech at the 2014 ESPYs for the Jimmy V award, Scott detailed his battle, and gave the world a few friendly reminders, especially to those going through the same battle he did. He profoundly stated, “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.” Cancer may have taken Scott’s physical presence, but it was no match for what he left behind for all of us.
During the same speech, Scott reminded us of Jimmy V’s seven simple words that will inspire anyone fighting whatever obstacle that stands in their way, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
We will never give up on sharing the legacy of the man who is “as cool as the other side of the pillow.”
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