After a long and tireless bout with appendiceal cancer, former SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott died at the age of 49.
Scott, a 22-year-veteran of ESPN, became a mainstay anchoring the network’s flagship program along with coverage of Monday Night Football in recent years.
Scott joined up with the network during the launch of ESPN2, and quickly became famous with his popular catchphrases, including “boo-yah” and “softer than the other side of a pillow.”
ESPN personalities from across the spectrum, past and present, took to Twitter to pass along their memories of their dear friend.
Stuart…Scott…Van Pelt. Man, we had fun out there. Crushed beyond description for all his families, including ours. RIP, my brother
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 4, 2015
Stuart Scott loved to have fun. Once found him hitting wiffle golf balls in the hall at 1am. Great talent & devastating loss for this world.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 4, 2015
Anchored 1st Sportscenter with Stu. He was warm Midwest kind, & intense. We Golfed, dined, but mostly LAUGHED. Deep, ab crunching laughs.
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) January 4, 2015
Crushed on the news about Stuart Scott.. God Bless his family and his girls.. Lucky to have worked and laughed with him.. He fought so hard
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) January 4, 2015
ESPN is such a big family with great, supremely talented and kind people and Stuart represented all of that. This will hurt for a long time.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) January 4, 2015
We are preparing for NFL Countdown with heavy hearts following the death of our beautiful colleague, Stuart Scott.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 4, 2015
Thank you, Stuart Scott, for the honor of working with you, for the courage and inspiration you provided all who encounter cancer. #RIP
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) January 4, 2015
So sad to hear about our friend Stu Scott. That man fought with everything he had, great at his craft so inspirational in his battle RIP Stu
— Mike Golic (@espngolic) January 4, 2015
The loudest laughs, the kindest words. The best kind of friend. Missing you already, Stu.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 4, 2015
It’s hard to process this. I am profoundly saddened to hear about Stuart, who was so talented and hardworking. Sui Generis. RIP. #booyah
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) January 4, 2015
Very saddened by the death of Stuart Scott. He always approached his job with such a rare sense of joy. Rest in peace.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) January 4, 2015
Scott was honored this past year as the recipient of the “Jimmy V Award For Perseverance,” in which he gave this inspirational speech.
RIP Stuart Scott.
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