One of the shining lights in sports broadcasting, unfortunately, received some bad medical news recently. ESPN’s Dick Vitale unveiled his second cancer diagnosis in the past few months.
Vitale has worked as an ESPN college basketball analyst for decades and recently underwent surgeries to fully remove melanoma from his body. His doctors informed him that this form of the disease is lymphoma.
Vitale wrote to fans about his diagnosis for ESPN Front Row.
“I consider myself very lucky,” Vitale wrote in the announcement. “I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that cancer can have on families, on children, and on all of our loved ones. It can bring you to your knees. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting. It robs you of so many things, including life itself for some of the most unfortunate patients. I never lose sight of that, and that’s why I feel so lucky.
“The plan is to treat my lymphoma with steroids and six months of chemotherapy. The medical experts tell me it has a 90-percent cure rate. They say I can continue to work so I will have to manage my work schedule around my chemo schedule as they will monitor my test results along the way.”
The 82-year-old is less of an analyst and more of an institution when it comes to college basketball. From “This is awesome, baby!!” to “Diaper Dandy’s,” Vitale has cooked up unique ways to portray his love of the sport, and fans can’t get enough.
“Dick Vitale is a one-of-a-kind treasure as a broadcaster and human being,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said. “His love for family and tireless passion to help people in need, especially children, truly define his greatness. He is beloved by his ESPN family and has our full support.”
The Barrett Media family wishes Vitale and his family all the best as he faces this battle.