ESPN anchor Stuart Scott isn't the cool, cutting edge personality he used to be back when "Boo Ya" took flight along with the home runs that spurred its call. He is, however, much tougher than you might think.
Some may chide the 48 year-old anchor (who signed with ESPN in 1993) for refusing to move on to bigger, better, or at least different things like many of his colleagues have done (e.g. Dan Patrick, Rich Eisen, Keith Olbermann, Josh Elliot, etc.). Since developing stomach cancer in 2007, however, Scott's needed the stability of Sportscenter to fight three subsequent remissions, according to the New York Times.
He continues to combat the disease today through an intense workout regime and a positive attitude bordering on denial.
"I never ask what stage I'm in," he told the NY Times. "I haven't wanted to know. It won't change anything to me. All I know is that it would cause more worry and a higher degree of freakout. Stage 1, 2 or 8, it doesn't matter. I'm trying to fight it the best I can."
Fellow anchor Sage Steele admitted she probably couldn't take the same approach if she ever got cancer.
"I've asked him on two occasions: 'What does this mean? What do the doctors say?' " she said. "And I'm nervous asking it, but after hearing his answer for the second time, I choose not to ask again. I don't know if I could do it the same way."
Though many around ESPN have expressed concern over his thinning face and build, Scott's physical and mental discipline has appeared effective in at least keeping the disease under control.
Still, Scott's condition has taken many turns since 2007. He's taking medication "pretty far down the list of what we'd use," according to his doctor, and is also open to experimental drugs.
When Scott's in front of the cameras, everything mostly returns to normal.
"I've visited while he's been getting chemo; it shook me up," Steele said. "But then I'd put the TV on at 11 that night, and he's still Stuart Scott."
