Stuart Scott, the longtime host of ESPN's SportsCenter, died on Sunday morning after years of battling cancer. He was 49.
Scott had worked for ESPN for 22 years, joining in 1993 for the launch of ESPN2, the network said. He quickly moved up the ranks and became one of the leading SportsCenter anchors.
Scott also went on to host Monday Night Countdown during the NFL season, as well as hosting NBA on ESPN and ABC. He also interviewed Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Throughout his years behind the desk, his catchphrases, including "Boo-yah" and "as cool as the other side of the pillow," became ubiquitous in sports vernacular.
We are heartbroken to report that Stuart Scott has died after a long fight with cancer. He was 49.
Scott was first diagnosed with cancer after an emergency appendectomy in 2007, USA Today reported. His cancer reemerged several times: once in 2011, when Scott announced on Twitter that he was undergoing chemotherapy, and again in 2012 and 2014.
ESPN President John Skipper said that the sports world has "lost a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure in Stuart Scott."
"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."
Scott is survived by his two daughters: Taelor, 19, and Sydni, 14.
In July, Scott won the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs following another round of surgery for his cancer.
"The best thing I have ever done, the best thing I will ever do," Scott said while accepting the award, "is be a dad to Taelor and Sydni."
He also spoke about his battling with the disease:
"When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer," Scott said, while accepting the award. "You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."
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On Sunday afternoon, President Obama released a statement about Scott's death:
I will miss Stuart Scott. Twenty years ago, Stu helped usher in a new way to talk about our favorite teams and the day's best plays. For much of those twenty years, public service and campaigns have kept me from my family — but wherever I went, I could flip on the TV and Stu and his colleagues on SportsCenter were there. Over the years, he entertained us, and in the end, he inspired us — with courage and love. Michelle and I offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and colleagues.
On Twitter, sports fans, ESPN co-workers, and athletes mourned the former anchor.
Stuart Scott helped show me that it was cool to geek out about awesome things happening in sports. He was a force.
Man... I grew up listening to and watching Stuart Scott on ESPN. Sad day.
Waking up to SportsCenter every morning was part of my childhood. Part of what made me want to do this. Rest in peace, Stuart Scott.
No one hosted Sportscenter like Stuart Scott. One of the best to ever do it. RIP
Your talent was one thing but your fight was another. An inspiration to us all for getting the most out of every day @StuartScott. #RIP
Rest in peace Stuart Scott. One of my favorites and an all-time great. He'll still be "as cool as the other side of the pillow" in heaven!