During the ACC championship game, renowned college basketball commentator Dick Vitale became emotional as he reflected on his recent battle with cancer and his return to the announcer's table after being declared cancer-free in December. The 85-year-old, sitting with ESPN's Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander, was visibly moved during the Duke-Louisville final's first half.
Vitale, who had surgery last summer to remove cancerous lymph nodes and has faced melanoma, lymphoma, and vocal cord cancer, expressed gratitude for the support he received. He shared his hopes to return next year, possibly in better health, and thanked those who assisted him throughout his journey.
"It's a miracle to be here," Vitale said tearfully. "The past three years have been incredibly tough with four cancer battles. Cancer is terrible. To anyone fighting it, stay positive and keep the faith."
Vitale announced that the ACC final would be his last game of the season, as he was limited to one game per week by his doctors following multiple surgeries on his vocal cords. Despite the challenges, he expressed his gratitude for being able to continue his passion for announcing games.