(Speech begins around the 7:00 minute mark)
Jim Valvano’s infamous “don’t give up, don’t ever give up” speech at the first annual ESPY Awards is undoubtedly the most famous speech in the history of the 21-year history of the awards show. At last night’s ESPYs show, though, Stuart Scott had an amazing and moving speech of his own while accepting the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.
Scott’s speech centered around the same topic as Valvano’s did – living with and battling cancer – and offered a similar message about refusing to give up and living every day to the fullest with the help of those around you. Also like Jimmy V’s, it is certainly a speech we won’t soon forget.
I’m not ashamed to admit I got extremely emotional watching the speech, especially when Scott delivered this great quote:
“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live! Fight like hell!”
And, just to make sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, Scott beckoned his youngest daughter to the stage for a hug to close out the speech. Unbelievably powerful stuff.
