Sunday, January 04, 2015

In Memoriam: Stuart Scott

by James Ferguson, OTSL Special Contributor

As we awake today, January 4, 2015, we do it with a heavy heart.  During the middle of the night ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott lost his battle with cancer.   Stuart was a remarkable character who brought his passion for life in combination with his passion for sports and put it on display every night for all of us to enjoy.

Stuart leaves behind 2 daughters and many friends that will miss his enthusiasm.  Stu did things his own way, bringing a side of the African American culture to center stage on SportsCenter, but he also represents the community of cancer survivors and for those still fighting the disease.

It is in this role that his memory will leave an indelible mark on us all.  As a cancer survivor myself, I personally would like to thank him.  Cancer can only take your body, but it can't take your soul, it can't take the love that he gave to his friends, his family and fans.  Today I wear my scars in dedication to Stuart.

I promise to remember to fight through anything with a different kind of passion, because I still can.  We each are responsible for how we will be remembered, but none of us know how long our journey will last.  It is up to us to make the most of this gift called life.

Today those of you who may have known him personally or were a fan of his work should shed a tear.  The world lost an inspirational, positive, dedicated, hard working man, but he will live on in the words he spoke as he received the Jim Valvano award last year. "Every day I am reminded that our life's journey is really about about the people who touch us.....when you die, it does not mean you loose to cancer, you beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner of which you live."

It should be up to us all to live these words out, as he no longer can.  My condolences go out to all who knew this amazing man.  Booya!