What We Can All Learn From Stuart Scott
For a generation, he was the face and voice of American Sport on ESPN. He was one of the most respected sports analysts in the business. Yet it was a platform he never chose which elevated him to another place in our hearts.
Scott’s fight began in 2007 when his appendix was removed and cancer was discovered. He had 58 infusions of chemotherapy before it arrested, only to return. Each recurrence seemed more dire, and yet after each, he returned to his job at ESPN, ensuring his private fight became public.
Even in the midst of the pain and suffering of this insidious disease, Scott recognized he could help others by sharing his journey, even if it lead to his last breath.
Today word came of his passing and while my natural instinct was to feel sorrow, it was quickly replaced by feelings of appreciation and joy for a man who may have succumbed to cancer, but won at life. He sucked every last drop out of life in his short 49 years, and in his example we learn a great lesson. We're born and we die. Those two are the same for all of us. But what we do in between? That is what separates us. Some men build skyscrapers. Some women don the uniforms of public servants like police officer or firefighter. Some of us sit around and waste our precious and short time on this earth while others of us soar. Stewart taught us it is a far more meaningful life when we choose to make the most of it regardless of how long we get. He may have lost his battle against cancer as we will all ultimately lose our battles to one thing or another. But I will most remember Stuart Scott as a man who won at "living life," the greatest game there is.
Scott was honored at the 2014 ESPYS awards show with the Jimmy V award for his ongoing fight against cancer and his advocacy to bring awareness to this disease. During his acceptance speech he said "You beat Cancer by How you live, Why you live, and in the Manner in which you live." I say we beat life in the same way.
Thank you Stuart Scott for the many years you came into my home and shared your knowledge and expertise with me, but more than anything thank you for teaching me via your example, just how one lives a meaningful life. Rest In Peace brother. We're gonna call you butter, cause you lived your life on a roll. Booyah!
Scott’s fight began in 2007 when his appendix was removed and cancer was discovered. He had 58 infusions of chemotherapy before it arrested, only to return. Each recurrence seemed more dire, and yet after each, he returned to his job at ESPN, ensuring his private fight became public.
Even in the midst of the pain and suffering of this insidious disease, Scott recognized he could help others by sharing his journey, even if it lead to his last breath.
Today word came of his passing and while my natural instinct was to feel sorrow, it was quickly replaced by feelings of appreciation and joy for a man who may have succumbed to cancer, but won at life. He sucked every last drop out of life in his short 49 years, and in his example we learn a great lesson. We're born and we die. Those two are the same for all of us. But what we do in between? That is what separates us. Some men build skyscrapers. Some women don the uniforms of public servants like police officer or firefighter. Some of us sit around and waste our precious and short time on this earth while others of us soar. Stewart taught us it is a far more meaningful life when we choose to make the most of it regardless of how long we get. He may have lost his battle against cancer as we will all ultimately lose our battles to one thing or another. But I will most remember Stuart Scott as a man who won at "living life," the greatest game there is.
Scott was honored at the 2014 ESPYS awards show with the Jimmy V award for his ongoing fight against cancer and his advocacy to bring awareness to this disease. During his acceptance speech he said "You beat Cancer by How you live, Why you live, and in the Manner in which you live." I say we beat life in the same way.
Thank you Stuart Scott for the many years you came into my home and shared your knowledge and expertise with me, but more than anything thank you for teaching me via your example, just how one lives a meaningful life. Rest In Peace brother. We're gonna call you butter, cause you lived your life on a roll. Booyah!
Good comments. He touched a lot of people - young and old - as he fought daily.
ReplyDeleteAs always... you said it well, thank you my friend
ReplyDelete