by Daron Pressley

January 5, 2015

Longtime SportsCenter host and ESPN Anchor Stuart Scott Passes Away At the Age of 49

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Stuart Scott did it his way. It was the only way that he knew how to do it. In the early 90’s when hip-hop culture was beginning to burst as a marketable machine Stuart Scott was just being himself. The infectious and energetic ESPN news anchor and reporter ushered in a new style of reporting that appealed to an audience that ESPN had yet to capture. Stuart’s 11 o’clock ESPN SportsCenter show was what sports fans around the country stayed up to watch as he punctuated highlights with his signature “Boo-yah” and a smooth play as being “as cool as the other side of the pillow.”

Born in the Chi, Stuart Scott attended high school in the North Carolina area and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1987. Before bringing his charismatic, and urban influenced style of broadcasting to ESPN, Scott worked at three radio stations in the south before going the SportsCenter team in Bristol, Connecticut. Scott went on to cover major events for the network including NBA Finals. the Super Bowl, and the NCAA Tournament.

Scott was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007, but made it a point to continue his life and both on and off the camera. As he accepted the Jimmy Valvano Courage award he said: “When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live,” Scott said. “So live. Live. Fight like hell.”

Many celebrities and athletes took to social media to express their gratitude and send their heartfelt condolences to the guy that changed the sports broadcasting game.

LeBron James

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

Uma foto publicada por LeBron James (@kingjames) em Jan 1, 2015 at 8:12 PST

Derek Jeter

Tiger Woods

Stuart wasn’t covering heroes & champions, it was the other way around. Thinking of my friend & his daughters.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 4, 2015

Alphonso Ribeiro

My friend Stuart Scott passed today. My heart is broken for his 2 daughters and his entire family. I will miss him greatly.

A photo posted by Alfonso Ribeiro (@therealalfonsoribeiro) on Jan 1, 2015 at 7:36am PST

Kevin Hart

For those who missed the late great Stuart Scott – and we always will – may he rest in peace…. http://t.co/RU7Wpz0gqy

— Kevin Hart (@ItsKevinHart) January 4, 2015

TJ HOLMES

For any young brother in journalism, Stuart Scott was our titan, our big brother, our uncle, our friend. We all wanted to be him. #ESPN

— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) January 4, 2015

Deismond Howard

Bro text me to ask about Stuart Scott passing…turned on TV to see it’s true. Son asked me what happened…words couldn’t come out. RIP STU

— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) January 4, 2015

Daron Pressley (@daronpressley) is an entrepreneur and former Fortune 500 sales and marketing executive who has been featured on outlets including Fox45 News, Black Enterprise magazine, and The Washington Post. Knowledgeable in marketing and branding, Pressley works with professional athletes, organizations, and individuals to develop strategies to create, build, and grow brands. As a speaker Pressley has reached over 20,000 students. He provides dynamic insights on leadership and branding via his Website, DaronPressley.com