Sports World Reacts To News Of Stuart Scott’s Passing
As reported earlier by the Inquistr, longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott has passed away at the age of 49 after an extended battle with cancer.
The sports world has taken to social media to express their grief and sadness over the passing of the sports casting trail blazer.
LeBron James a photo on his Instagram account, praising Scott for changing the culture of sports casting and for being a good friend.
“Can’t believe you’re gone from us! I am deeply saddened because not only will not be replaced as a anchor or reporter but more than that as a genuine cool person. What u did for our culture, bringing that Swag to reporting can only be copied(which I hear it today on tv watching sports). I would say not because they stealing your swag, it’s all out of RESPECT! It was always a breath of fresh fun air when u would show up and we’d chat up. Thank you so much for being u and giving us inner city kids someone we could relate to that wasn’t a player but was close enough to them. #RIPStuartScott #FuqCancer #GoneButSurelyNotForgotten”
ESPN co-worker Scott Van Pelt expressed immense sadness at the passing of his colleague.
Stuart…Scott…Van Pelt. Man, we had fun out there. Crushed beyond description for all his families, including ours. RIP, my brother — Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 4, 2015
Fox Sports broadcaster and long time ESPN reporter Erin Andrews took time to post a favorite memory of Scott.
One of my favorite Stuart Scott memories..talking to him about his daughters & how he’d watch dance shows with them at night.. #Booyah
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) January 4, 2015
The New England Patriots also tweeted their support for Scott and his family.
Rest in peace Stuart Scott. Thanks for always reminding us why we love sports. You will truly be missed. http://t.co/5Hmmf3Ffi0 — New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 4, 2015
According to an announcement by ESPN, Scott passed away early Sunday morning. Scott started at ESPN in 1993, and quickly changed the way sports highlights were reported. Coining popular catch phrases such as “Boo-Yah” and “Cool as the other side of the pillow,” Scott quickly became a fan favorite.
ESPN co-anchor Steve Levy commented on Scott’s relationship with the audience.
“I think the audience recognized that when Stuart was on, there was going to be something special. And to his credit, he brought something special every night he was on.”
Suzy Kolber, who also teamed with Scott at ESPN, praised Scott for staying true to himself over the years.
“When he went to ESPN, Stuart didn’t change his style — and there was some resistance. Even I encouraged him to maybe take a more traditional approach, but he had a strong conviction about who he wanted to be, and the voice he wanted to project, and clearly, he was right, and we were wrong.”
Scott spent 22 years at ESPN, making many friends along the way. Perhaps the anchor most associated with Scott via ESPN is current NFL Network host Rich Eisen. The two were often seen trying to crack each other up on set, and seemed to have a natural rapport. In what may be the most touching tribute to Scott, Eisen gave this touching tribute to his longtime friend while breaking news of Scott’s passing.
Rich Eisen remembers Stuart Scott
Scott was a cultural icon and the voice that accompanied sports for many in the 90s. As is evident by the outpouring of support online, he will be greatly missed.
