Less than two weeks ago, legendary college basketball analyst and commentator Dick Vitale shared news that there was no evidence of cancerous cells remaining in his body and that he was set to return to ESPN. Unfortunately, he shared some very different news on Friday afternoon.
On Friday, Dick Vitale revealed that a biopsy of a node in his neck has found more cancerous cells and will have surgery on Tuesday, but he did express confidence that he will beat the disease.
My report on the Biopsy of the Lymph Node in my neck has arrived & it is cancerous . With all the [prayers] I have received & the loving support of my family, friends & @espn colleagues I will win this battle. surgery on Tues. will be a success. Thanks for All the prayers,” Vitale said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
My report on the Biopsy of the Lymph Node in my neck has arrived & it is cancerous . With all the 🙏🙏🙏 I have received & the loving support of my family,friends & @espn colleagues I will win this battle .🙏🙏🙏 surgery on Tues. will be a success . Thanks for All the prayers.
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 28, 2024
Obviously, this is absolutely horrible news for the legendary broadcaster, and it led to a lot of reactions from the sports world.
Prayers for Dickie V.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/rg7LrH1C36— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 28, 2024
Many will keep praying Coach. You keep fighting 👊🏼🙏🏼 https://t.co/KPJi2UCruO
— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) June 28, 2024
Don’t give up, don’t ever give up ❤️. We are behind you at RU @DickieV 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/qcpE26RicG
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) June 28, 2024
This man helped soundtrack so many of our lives. All prayers to you, Dickie V. It’s the absolute very least we could do. https://t.co/sJ6S2eRNmV
— Justin Tinsley (@JustinTinsley) June 28, 2024
Sickened to learn this news but as usual this cancer has no idea what it’s up against. Keep fighting @DickieV https://t.co/inyUb2UaMG
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) June 28, 2024
Beat Cancer Coach! @DickieV https://t.co/pIEIorToDE
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) June 28, 2024
Praying for you. You are so strong. You got this! ❤️ https://t.co/TxhPWowbVW
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) June 28, 2024
We will continue to pray and you will continue to fight like you always do w support from so many. We love you! https://t.co/XL6dEYJTLo
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) June 28, 2024
Vitale has had a number of healthy battles over the years as he previously battled lymphoma and a vocal cord dysplasia beginning in 2021. In 2022, Vitale announced that he was cancer-free from the lymphoma, but suffered from further health issues regarding his vocal cords, including a diagnosis of vocal cancer back in July.
Obviously, the sports world wishes a smooth recovery to the legendary college basketball personality.
