Legenedary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale faces cancer. What do we know?
The legendary college basketball announcer has found himself under the threat of cancer. With that, one can only hope for his full recovery.
Few can attest to having enjoyed the broadcasting career of Dick Vitale, which is precisely what makes the situation he faces all the more impactful. What we know at this point is that the veteran announcer will be taking time to address his health.
Dick Vitale faces a resurgence of cancer
According to reports, ESPN’s legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale has suffered a reoccurrence of cancer in his lymph nodes. Vitale took to social media on Friday, where he announced the sad news in a post. “My report on the Biopsy of the Lymph Node in my neck has arrived & it is cancerous,” Vitale wrote. “With all the (prayers) I have received & the loving support of my family, friends & ESPN colleagues I will win this battle. Surgery on (Tuesday) will be a success. Thanks for All the prayers.”
Unfortunately, the news while disturbing is not without context. Indeed, the 85-year-old has had a multitude of health problems over the last few years, a sad reality for one of college basketball’s most recognizable personalities. To be clear, Vitale who began commentating on college games way back in 1979 has suffered from melanoma, lymphoma, lesions on his vocal cords, and laryngeal cancer since 2021. That brings us to the truly sad part of this all which is that he announced in December last year that he was cancer-free.
Yet, it would be a disservice to speak only of sickness. Though he has been battling illness for some time, Vitale has continued to promote several anti-cancer causes, including the V Foundation created by his late friend and former NC State coach Jim Valvano. Of course, one couldn’t expect anything less from the man whose energy and delivery endeared audiences for decades, ushering in a new level of interest in the college game, and that was following a career that saw him coach the Detroit Pistons during the 70s. As they say, thoughts and prayers.