CLEMSON, S.C. — The excitement was palpable as ESPN commentator Dick Vitale made his triumphant return to the broadcasting booth Saturday night at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum, following his courageous battle with cancer. The 85-year-old sports icon received an enthusiastic standing ovation, marking an emotional moment in his first game back.
Approximately half an hour before the highly anticipated matchup between Clemson and Duke, the arena erupted into cheers as Vitale emerged from the tunnel and headed towards his courtside seat. The crowd was thrilled to welcome him back, and the public address announcer took the opportunity to showcase his skills by playfully mimicking Vitale, announcing, “Dickie V, you’re awesome, baby!”
Overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, Vitale waved to the fans as they continued to cheer for an extended period, nearly a minute long in recognition of his return. The beloved commentator had been away from ESPN for two years, making this moment even more special for both him and his supporters.
Vitale’s last two years had been challenging due to health issues. He faced four types of cancer in just as many years, with vocal cord cancer being among the most significant battles he fought. However, the sports commentator shared the great news in late December that he had officially beaten cancer following his fourth treatment in a little over three years.
“I can’t believe it! Santa Claus came early when Dr. Rick Brown informed me that my PET scan at 7 AM showed I’m clean of cancer!” Vitale exuberantly posted on social media on December 23. He expressed immense gratitude to those who supported him through prayers, stating, “I’m cutting the nets down, baby! It’s my National Championship!”
Earlier this past summer, he underwent surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck. Vitale had previously fought through melanoma and lymphoma, as well as radiation therapy for his vocal cord cancer last year.
This moment signified not just his return to broadcasting but also a celebration of resilience and hope, marking an inspiring chapter in Vitale’s remarkable life journey.
