As you’ve obviously heard by now, Stuart Scott passed away this morning from a battle with cancer, at the age of 49. Let’s take a moment to remember all that Stuart Scott accomplished during his life. He was celebrated on July 16 at the ESPYS with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. Scott’s career was forced to take a back seat when he was first diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in November of 2007.
He underwent two surgeries and months of chemotherapy before he was given a clean bill of health. Only two years later, the cancer returned.
Scott’s most recent surgery was last fall and he continued to undergo medical treatment during 2014.
Despite what is now a public battle with the disease, Scott continues his high-profile role at ESPN and focuses on being a dedicated father to his two daughters.
Stuart Scott began his broadcasting career at the student station at the University of North Carolina. At Carolina, the nation’s first public university, Scott played wide receiver and defensive back on a club team. After graduating, he worked for various local stations in the Carolinas. Stuart Scott joined ESPN in 1993 for the launch of ESPN2. Over the years, he’s developed into one of the iconic faces of both SportsCenter and the network over the years.
SportsCenter is one of the most iconic brands in America and Stuart Scott helped make it so. Stuart Scott was really the first sports anchor to develop and popularize the catch-phrase.
Hollywood and Madison Avenue also took notice of Scott’s wide appeal; he was featured in numerous high-profile commercial campaigns. He appeared on many TV shows, sitcoms, feature films and music videos and was parodied in a Saturday Night Live skit.
Over the years, Scott earned numerous awards and honors. He was recently honored with the NABJ Award of Merit, received a Rammy Award which pays tribute to superlative performances in athletics, academics and sports from his beloved alma mater, UNC-Chapel Hill, and was a guest of honor at the 14th annual “An Evening with Heroes” celebration in Indianapolis, which benefits the Heroes Foundation. In 2011 he was honored by The V Foundation with “The Spirit of Jimmy V Award.” He was instrumental in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for The V Foundation, Livestrong, and participated in Stand Up To Cancer campaigns as well donating time to raise awareness and funds for numerous other charities.
“Given how much Stuart has actively supported The V Foundation through the years from within ESPN, it is an honor to now present him with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award to celebrate the inspiration he provides to so many around him.”
Here is the statement from Stuart Scott:
“I make a living with words and can’t remember the last time I was at a loss for them…until learning about this amazing honor. I was literally speechless. I’ve had the honor of presenting this very award before and I’ve always been in awe of the recipients. To now be a part of what they stand for is beyond description. Thank you V Foundation and thank you Jim Valvano for STILL guiding us all these years…we won’t give up…we won’t EVER give up.”
The Jimmy V Perseverance Award was named after, and inspired by, the late Jimmy Valvano. Now Stuart Scott will become a similarly timeless inspirational figure.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The V Foundation (www.jimmyv.org).
During his ESPY speech, Scott shared his approach to fighting cancer.
“I also realized something else recently,” Stuart Scott said. “I said, I’m not losing. I’m still here. I’m fighting. I’m not losing. But I’ve got to amend that. When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live. Live. Fight like hell.”
I met Stuart Scott personally this past May and I made sure to shake his hand and tell him what an inspirational figure I regarded him to be. I was very honored that I had the opportunity to do so.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2