Dick vital is cancer-free, ‘nervous’ and grateful for ESPN return

On By Littum

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Dick Vitale called back and apologized immediately. He couldn’t take an interview and he couldn’t talk long. This was his doctor’s orders, and vital did not leave anything to a coincidence at the forefront of returning from almost two years of cancer-induced, on-air silence.

“I have to do things to save my voice,” explained vital over the phone. “I’m still working to come back from a tough situation.”

But the voice that became synonymous with college -basketball in the last five decades still has something to say. So vital sent instead over a statement to express the wave of emotions going through him at the moment. It began with the phrase “oh baby” and also ended up with the word “baby”. It also included eight exclamation points and contained eight cases in which he wrote in all caps.

In other words, Dickie V is thrilled to be back to entertain a national ESPN audience again, and the rest of the sport welcomes him.

Vitale is set to broadcast his first game since the international radio broadcast of the 2023 National Championship when he returns to his role as a college -basketball analyst to Saturday’s men’s basketball match between Clemson and No. 2 Duke.

“The last few years have tested me like never before,” vital wrote. “There were moments that I wasn’t sure I would ever sit down again.”

For more than three years, vital, 85, has been dealing with the effects of melanoma, lymphoma, vocal cords and lymph node cancer. It required several operations, 65 radiotherapy, rounds with chemotherapy and significant stretches of time when the former NBA and College trainer could not speak at all.

Vital announced earlier that he was cancer -free in 2022, but was diagnosed a year later with vocal cord cancer and had to undergo radiotherapy. In November 2023, he was also considered cancer -free before undergoing a procedure last summer after a biopsy showing that a lymph node in his throat had cancer.

Vitale announced that he was cancer-free again on January 8 and originally intended to return behind a ESPN microphone for the Duke-Wake Forest game on January 25. But it had to be postponed when vital was hospitalized after a fall in his Florida home. Vitale wrote that he was the “heart bridge” over the setback, and it brought a new set of medical concerns for him to overcome. He has since been cleared by his doctors to resume his TV comback this weekend.

“Through it all,” vital wrote, “I fought.

Vital admitted to being nervous after so long away, but he is mostly just grateful to have another chance to do the job he realized a long time was his way of making a mark on the sport. He releases Saturday’s Duchy match at Clemson at ESPN along with play-by-play advertisement Dave O’Brien and analyst Corey Alexander as part of a three-person crew.

Those around vital are also nervous and excited about him.

“He has this passion for people, for basketball, to make a difference in the lives of others, and his heart has been broken for two years because he has not been able to share that love and passion with others,” Espns said Seth Greenberg, who has known vital for more than 50 years. “But his resilience and his toughness and his tireless optimistic views on everything and everything is, how can you not be moved? It becomes emotional for me to see it. “

Vitale joined ESPN shortly after launch after a coaching career that included stints with the University of Detroit and Detroit Pistons. He called the network’s first big NCAA basketball game on December 5, 1979 and became one of its most recognizable faces as it rose from cable TV start to an international TV giant for the next 45 years and counts.

Vitale used his platform on ESPN to raise his work with Jimmy V Foundation, which he has helped led since its founding in 1993 by ESPN and the late North Carolina State Coach Jim Valvano. The annual Dick Vital Gala, now in her 20th year, has collected nearly $ 93 million for research into pediatric cancer.

But it’s that voice and these catch phrases – “It’s great, honey!” And “Ble Dandy,” to mention only two – and the way they express Vital’s irresistible enthusiasm for college -basketball that made him a fixture in American households. They have been missed and it left a void after more than 1,000 games on ESPN.

This is exactly why vital is willing to wait a little longer to speak. This next game is perhaps just the most memorable of them all.

“I have no idea how it will go. But I know this – just being there is a win,” vital wrote. “Just getting this opportunity is a miracle. And made no mistake about it … This is my national championship for 2025!

Below you can read Vital’s full statement to USA Today:

Dick vitale, in his own words

Oh, honey! This moment … this opportunity … this incredible blessing – it means everything to me!

With tears in my eyes and my heart beating, I think of what’s coming this Saturday – sitting again for Duke Versus Clemson, reunited with my phenomenal teammates Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander. I would lie if I said I wasn’t nervous. But more than that? I am overwhelmed by gratitude.

The last few years have tested me as never before – four matches with melanoma, lymphoma, vocal cords and lymph nodes cancer. There were moments that I wasn’t sure I would ever sit down in court. I underwent several operations, 65 radiotherapy, overwhelming chemotherapy and long stretches where I had no voice at all. It was a roller coaster – high, low, moments of doubt.

But through it all I continued to fight. Believe. Bed.

And I wasn’t alone.

The prayers, the love, the outflow of the support of my amazing wife Lorraine, my daughters Terri and Sherri, my whole family – they lifted me up when I felt I had nothing left. My Espn family – Oh, my heart! – For over four decades, they’ve been there. Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, my colleagues, my friends – they never stopped believing in me and sent words of encouragement week after week.

And the fans – oh, honey! – The fans, the media, the coaches, the people I have never even met who prayed for me who sent messages that gave me hope – do you mean all the world to me!

Then came the words I had asked so hard to hear – my oncologist, Dr. Rick Brown, looked at me and said, “You are cancer -free!”

It was a championship moment! And then Dr. Steven Zeitels – after five major voting operations – me: “You are ready to do what you love.” And what I LOVE Talking basketball!

Last month I finally thought I was over the hump and would get the chance to return to Duke-Wake Forest Matchup. Still, I was the heart bridge when I suffered an accident in my house days before the game, which led to further medical concerns and uncertainty about my future. Fortunately, I am glad to say that the doctors have now cleared me to come back.

The last time I called a game was April 3, 2023 – the national championship, Uconn versus San Diego State for ESPN International. It feels like a lifetime ago. But now? Now I have to do it again.

I have no idea how it will go. But I know this – just being a win. Just getting this option is a miracle. And make no mistake about it …

This is my national championship for 2025!

Thanks, please! See you at the Court, Honey!