Stuart Scott was an ESPN anchor, but he became one of last year’s biggest sports stories after accepting the Jimmy V Award for Perserverance at the 2014 ESPYs. The well-loved ESPN figure (and there aren’t many who can make that claim) was about to turn 49 years old when he accepted the award on July 16th, and became an inspirational icon for his acceptance speech–including this inspiring message: “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.” [Photo Credit: gettyimages Kevin Winter / Staff]
Stuart Scott’s own battle against cancer ended with his passing this Sunday morning. He was originally diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in 2007. He didn’t specify which kind of cancer he was battling in later years, but that’s not particularly important. What’s important is that a guy who used to be known for folksy jokes and shouting “Boo-yah!” ended his sportscasting career with one of the sports world’s classiest final laps.
Stuart Scott is also likely to be remembered as one of ESPN’s most dedicated sportscasters. Not just because of how he continued to inspire, but for coming damn close to losing an eye in the name of covering the New York Jets. That’s just another epic story of many that we’ll be hearing about Stuart Scott. Here’s that ESPY speech–we’re sure that ESPN will be celebrating Scott’s other amazing moments all day long…
