Longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, who died at age 49 Sunday morning, will inevitably be remembered for the skill and enthusiasm he brought to his job as a sports broadcaster. But his death from cancer also has colleagues and fans recalling the inspirational way he kept on going in the face of a seven-year battle against the disease.
Scott shared what persevering meant to him in a speech at the ESPYS last July, where he was officially recognized for doing just 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,” he said, holding up the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. “So live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight, lay down and rest, and let somebody else fight for you.”
A Look Back at the Life of ESPN Anchor Stuart Scott
Stuart Scott and Charles Barkley during Tiger Jam V in Las Vegas on April 21, 2002.Steve Grayson—WireImageScott and Jay-Z at the ESPN Desportes Launch Party at The 40/40 Club on May 17, 2006 in New York.Shareif Ziyadat—FilmMagicPaul Pierce of the Boston Celtics is interviewed by Scott at the end of Game Six of the 2008 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 17, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.Jim Rogash—Getty ImagesFrom Left: Stuart Scott, Trent Dilfer and Steve Young sit at their set on the field during an NFL Monday Night Football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2012. Tom Hauck—APSan Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan takes the Larry O'Brian Trophy from guard Tony Parker as he does a TV interview with Scott after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center on June 15, 2014.Bob Donnan—USA Today Sports/ReutersNFL quarterback Peyton Manning with Scott at The 2014 ESPYS at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles.Christopher Polk—Getty ImagesFrom Left: Kristin Spodobalski, Stuart Scott and Sydni Scott attend The 2014 ESPYS at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesScott accepts the 2014 Jimmy V Perseverance Award onstage during the 2014 ESPYS at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles.Kevin Winter—Getty Images
