ESPN’s Stuart Scott died this morning following a long battle with cancer, a disease he fought three times. Scott was 49 and spent the last 21 years at the sports network.
ABC’s Robin Roberts, a cancer survivor and ESPN alum, reported the pre-recorded obituary for Scott. “Thank you Stu, for your bravery and stellar example. Thank you for being you. As cool as the other side of the pillow.”
Following that, ESPN’s “NFL Countdown” began continuing coverage led by Chris Berman. Former players-turned-broadcasters Cris Carter and Keyshawn Johnson remembered Scott as a mentor.
“The number one thing for me, as a person who wanted to be a broadcaster, is that he was a role model for me,” said Carter. “There will never be another Stu. There’s no ‘next man up’ at ESPN.”
An emotional Johnson added, “I have two daughters of my own, and I know Stu had two kids. And any time you leave this earth, and you leave them behind, it’s going to hurt.”