Hannah Storm put on a brave face as she spoke on ESPN about Stuart Scott who died yesterday, age 49, after a seven-year battle with cancer.
Hannah reported that Stuart had spoke about his cancer and said: “When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live.”
She described Stuart, who had worked for ESPN since 1993, as ‘our colleague, our friend, and our inspiration.’
Before she appeared on the verge of tears, Hannah concluded with: “Today we choose not to say that Stuart lost to cancer at the age of 49 instead we’ll simply say that we ALL lost Stuart.”
In a statement ESPN President John Skipper said that Stuart was ‘a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure’ and that his ‘energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced.’
Stuart was diagnosed with cancer in late 2007, the cable TV sports network said, but remained dedicated to his craft even as he underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.