Today the news broke that Stuart Scott, at the age of 49 and a long time ESPN announcer, lost his battle with cancer. As any sports fan, father and human being, the news stung. Growing up, I watched Stuart Scott everyday on ESPN and watched him because not only the one liners, but his human approach to stories.  Sure his catch phrases “As cool as the other side of the pillow” were used on a regular basis, he was more than just a sports announcer, he was also a father.

I was fortunate to have met Stuart years ago and by that, I mean at least 12 + years ago when he was at a celebrity golf tournament. What struck me about him the most, was that it wasn’t just the fans that wanted to talk with him, but other celebrities wanted his time too. He was personable and felt like you were talking with a friend. And I only spoke with him for a few minutes, but when I did, we talked about UNC, where he graduated and where I grew up following and loving as a fan. He beamed when talking about UNC basketball and his thoughts for the upcoming year. And as it was his time to tee up, he shook my hand and thanked me for talking about UNC, a place he loved.

Today, as many have done, I’ve watched Stuart’s ESPY video and recounted the his words, because they ring so very true:

“When you die it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.”

We are all defined in how we choose to live our lives and when advisory hits, you can either give up or fight and that is what Stuart Scott did, he fault cancer and he fault for his family.

And as friends of Stuart’s pour out their hearts and emotions on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets, it was Rich Eisen’s emotional farewell to his friend that was the hardest for me.

The reality is this, at some point in time, we will all be faced with the fact that someone we love or us for that matter, will be faced with Cancer. It is just a fact. So tonight, in  honor of Stuart Scott, I’ll be making a donation to the Jimmy V Foundation, the same foundation that was started by and in honor of Jimmy Valvano, head coach of NC State University, but also who awarded Stuart the award last year. It is my hope and prayer that through the research that the Jimmy V Foundation is currently doing, that one day, Cancer will be a word that is no longer used and that no more lives are lost to.

Tonight, Stuart, as I say a prayer for you and more importantly your young daughters and your family, I will ask God for peace and strength for them. That they may remember the positives and remember the lives that he touched. And tonight, I’ll turn my pillow over to the cool side in your honor. Sleep easy tonight Stuart.