STUART SCOTT, R.I.P.

As we all did, I woke up yesterday to the sad news that ESPN’s Stuart Scott had passed away. My heart actually skipped a beat when I read it.

If you were into sports at all, I’m sure you were well aware of his many-years-long battle with cancer. I don’t know why I thought he was actually beating it; maybe it was just wishful thinking. So, I was semi-surprised by the news. And very saddened, especially since he was only forty-nine.

Stuart Scott, receiving the Jimmy V Award at the 2014 ESPYs.

Stuart had been honored at this summer’s ESPY Awards by receiving the Jimmy V Award For Perseverance (which is named for Jim Valvano, the popular North Carolina State basketball coach, who had also passed away, at a similar age, from the same insidious disease.) His strong-voiced speech, which included his love for his young daughters, choked everyone up.

And he worked on TV through his whole ordeal. Just wow.

I had read something about him just a few weeks ago, and was thrilled that he was still hanging in there, after fighting valiantly for the past seven years.

I don’t have much to add to the story, except to say that even I’m surprised at how much Stuart Scott’s death has shaken me up. He’s just someone I’ve always expected to see bringing me my sports. (If you’re unfamiliar with him, you can research him; there are stories everywhere, albeit many of the same ones on every site.)

When a sportscaster has the President of the United States paying tribute to him, you know he was a big deal.

My heart goes out to his family, girlfriend, colleagues, and sports fans everywhere.

May you rest in peace, Stuart Scott.