Longtime ESPN Anchor Stuart Scott Dies At 49
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Longtime sports anchor Stuart Scott lost his battle with cancer on Sunday at the age of 49-years-old.
Scott was best known as a signature anchor in his 21-year career with ESPN and SportsCenter in Bristol, Conn.
He was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2007, when doctors discovered a tumor during surgery to remove his appendix.
In 2011, he underwent chemotherapy for a second time.
On July 16, 2014, Scott accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Award Show, which was hosted inside Nokia Theater L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.
SportsCenter took to Twitter to reflect on his unforgettable acceptance speech for the award:
Stuart Scott's unforgettable speech when accepting the Jimmy V Perseverance Award in July. http://t.co/qzrJzF4vyp pic.twitter.com/lLRh9lqEQK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2015
Scott covered several major events for the network, including the Super Bowl, NBA finals, World Series and NCAA Tournament.
He also interviewed President Barack Obama, joining him for a televised game of one-on-one.
Obama offered his thoughts and prayers to Scott's family, friends, and colleagues.
"I will miss Stuart Scott," Obama said. "Twenty years ago, Stu helped us in a new way to talk about our favorite teams and the day's best plays."
"For much of those twenty years, public service and campaigns have kept me from my family — but wherever I went, I could flip on the TV and Stu and his colleagues on SportsCenter were there," he added. Over the years, he entertained us, and in the end, he inspired us."
As word of Scott's death spread Sunday, CBS2's Joy Benedict reported that Los Angeles area sports figures shared their memories of the ESPN veteran.
"He brought a hipness and a coolness to ESPN," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said during a Sunday practice. "He was so comfortable in his own skin. To me, that's what I will remember."
"He was definitely one of the commentators that I loved growing up," added Clippers center DeAndre Jordan.
"I did my first NBA commercial with Stuart Scott," Clippers guard Chris Paul said.
"The thing I remember most about him is how much he loved his daughters," Paul added.
"He was a pioneer in his field," said Lakers coach Byron Scott. "He was one of the best I've ever seen at bringing the game to life."
The memories extended into the press box as well.
"He showed us that it didn't just have to be somebody scores...somebody does this," said Fox Sports West columnist Jill Painter Lopez. "He made it special, and interesting, and fun."
Stuart Scott is survived by his parents, O. Ray and Jacqueline Scott; siblings Stephen Scott, Synthia Kearney and Susan Scott; his daughters Taelor, 19, and Sydni, 15; and girlfriend Kristin Spodobalski.
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