ESPNS DICK VIITAL MAKE EMOUNDALLY REVIRECTED After nearly 2 years of fighting cancer: ‘This is my Super Bowl’

On By Littum

Indianapolis, Indiana - November 15: ESPN analyst Dick Vitale calls the game between Kentucky Wildcats and Michigan State Spartans during Champions Classic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 15, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Dick Vitale is back in the TV stand, and not a single person is happier with it than dick vital. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

College Basketball officially has one of its most iconic voices left.

LongTime ESPN -color commentator Dick Vitale returned to the broadcast on Saturday for Clemson’s match against Duke after fighting for four types of cancer over four years. It was his first time calling a game of almost two years.

The Duke-Clemson broadcast did not reach ESPN for several minutes due to an Indiana Pacers-Los Angeles Lakers games that ran long, but vital were near tears when the cameras reached him.

The 85-year-old former coach sat between the TV stations Cory Alexander and Dave O’Brien and gave an emotional speech to explain how much that moment meant to him.

Vital:

“I just want to say thank you to all people. The reception here has really been out of the charts. I’m sorry to be so emotional. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here. I told Cory before is this like my Super Bowl.

“I want to say to all cancer patients out there, then listen to me. Think positively and believe and keep fighting and fighting and fighting. I know what you are going through and it’s not fun but to be here, this is my Super Bowl, Dave.

Vitale received a standing ovation from Clemson fans as he entered the field at Littlejohn Coliseum, with another appliance round when his presence was announced to the arena.

The last time vital appeared in a broadcast was the International Feed in the 2023 National Championship Game between Uconn and San Diego State. He was originally diagnosed with melanoma in the summer of 2021 with a subsequent diagnosis of lymphoma months later. After returning in the fall of 2021, vital was again forced to go away to undergo operation on his vocal cords.

Vital confirmed in the summer of 2023 the cancer had reached his vocal cords and later his lymph nodes, which means he has had to fight for four types of cancer in four years. After reviewing radiation therapy, chemotherapy and more surgery, Vitale finally announced that he was cancer -free earlier last month.

Initially, it was hoped that vital would be ready for a Duke-Wake Forest Game last month, but a home accident pushed it back to Saturday.