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ESPN’s Dick Vitale emotional upon his return to the broadcast booth

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:

Dickie V is back!

The PTPer, Dick Vitale, returned to the broadcast booth Tuesday night for the call of No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 2 UCLA. As you can expect, he got a little emotional.

“On Oct. 12, I’ll be honest with you, when they walked in and told me I had cancer … I never dreamt at 82 that I’d ever be courtside again,” Vitale said. “But to be here today… I’m sorry, I hope I don’t cause a problem out there. I feel so emotional. But the game is the big thing, so let’s get this game going and talk some basketball.”

But there was one more moment to celebrate Vitale, which ESPN’s Bill Hofheimer shared.

Two months after undergoing surgery to remove melanoma, Vitale announced that he’d been diagnosed with lymphoma. His treatment plan required 6 months of chemotherapy, which he began earlier this month. But doctors cleared Vitale to return to the sidelines amid his treatment, ESPN announced last week, and it took him no time at all to get back behind the mic.

“My family and I are absolutely jumping with joy,” said Vitale in a release when his return was announced. “Knowing I’ll be courtside with all my buddies and calling Number 1 versus 2, this is the best medicine I could ask for. To all of you, I simply say ‘thank you from the bottom of my heart’ for your prayers and messages, phone calls, and texts.”

The Hall of Famer is in his 43rd season as a college basketball broadcaster for ESPN.

It’s good to have him back.

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.