Beloved ESPN Broadcaster Stuart Scott Passed Away From Cancer at 49
One of the most entertaining voices in sports broadcasting has been silenced. Stuart Scott, a popular fixture on ESPN has passed away at the age of 49. Scott was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and battled through cycles of chemotherapy and remission until 2015. In a statement, the worldwide leader in sports wrote, “Stuart Scott, a dedicated family man and one of ESPN’s signature SportsCenter anchors, has died after a courageous and inspiring battle with cancer.” Since the announcement of his death, several tributes from the sports world and beyond have poured onto social media. President of the United States and sports aficionado Barack Obama paid tribute to Mr. Scott saying, thank you for your enthusiasm, talent, and unique charisma.
“ESPN and everyone in the sports world have lost a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure in Stuart Scott,” said ESPN president John Skipper. “Who engages in mixed martial arts training in the midst of chemotherapy treatments? Who leaves a hospital procedure to return to the set? His energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced.”
Scott Was An Innovator, With Critics
Scott was a broadcasting trailblazer. He uniquely fused hip-hop culture with sports, making catchphrases like “Boo-Yah,” and “Holla,” part of the American sports lexicon. His contributions to the industry were huge and F&TS will miss his voice. Scott never hid his passion for sports or his culture. Younger viewers loved his style on SportsCenter, but he had detractors. Malcontent Jason Whitlock criticized him often, but Stu Scott became a fixture of rap music. Scott appeared in music videos with the rappers LL Cool J and Luke and was shouted out in “3 Peat”, by Lil Wayne.
The thoughts of the F&TS editorial team are with his friends and family, specifically his daughters Taelor and Sydni. It’s with heavy hearts that we will try to enjoy sports this week. Scott inspired an entire generation of fans and personalities to bring their own “swag” to their careers. ESPN and American sports lost a giant who changed the game forever. Mr. Scott, you’re forever “cooler than the other side of the pillow.”