ESPN announcer Dick Vitale announced on Wednesday that he is cancer free, which could pave the way for him to return to calling games in the near future.
“Just had scope of my vocal cords & I was very emotional with the great report by Dr ZEITELS . He said the vocal cords are cancer free & he feels I can return to my love of being at courtside for @espn,” Vitale wrote in a tweet.
Vitale, who has battled melanoma, lymphoma, vocal cord cancer and lymph nodes cancer in recent years, missed most of the last three-plus seasons due to his illnesses and vocal cord damage. The beloved broadcaster has been with ESPN since 1979 and has broadcast over 1,000 games with the network.
In a text message to Hoops HQ on Wednesday evening, Vitale indicated that he could be returning to work near the end of January. “Will be getting more specific next week – hoping to call a game per week after the CFP championship (Jan. 20),” he wrote. “I really have to follow what Dr. Z specifies. It has been a really tough journey.”
Vitale, 85, still feels as if he has a place in the game.“I feel energized and feel that I can offer some insight about the game I love,” Vitale said in a recent text message interview with HoopsHQ Editor-in-Chief Seth Davis. “If I didn’t think I can offer some valid opinions I would just simply relax at home but I still feel YOUNG AT HEART.”
Vitale indicated in his previous text conversation that he hoped to make his return as early as January, pending clearance from his doctors. He said he has not ruled out the possibility of calling games remotely if the circumstances dictated. Vitale has been building up his voice in preparation for his potential return. “Yes I am speaking but limiting to just must-do things with my family and ESPN. I have not done any interviews. I’ve been doing short quick motivational videos,” he told HoopsHQ.
The former Detroit Pistons and Detroit Mercy head coach has actively his health journey on his Twitter page, as well as motivational videos and his opinions about college basketball and other sports. He has raised nearly $100 million for pediatric cancer research though the V foundation.
Vitale hasn’t just motivated others to stay strong in the fight against cancer. He has also followed his own advice. “I am 85 and have lived a fantastic life but youngsters should not have to deal with all the chemo, radiation scans and surgeries that I have dealt with,” Vitale said. “I have a special goal that I hope I can see all 5 of my grandchildren graduate from college. By the time they all receive their degrees I would be 89. I plan to go beyond that.”
