OAKLAND, CA - MAY 16: TNT sports reporter Craig Sager walks on the court following game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on May 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. The Thunder defeated the Warriors 108-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Craig Sager, to say the very least, was a legend in the sports world. From his iconic outfits to his amazing reporting, he was loved by all.
Sager passed away a year ago to the day (Dec. 15, 2016). He will forever be in our hearts, and his impact is very well known…
After all, according to click2houston.com, “MD Anderson Cancer Center just honored former patient and NBA sideline reporter, Craig Sager Sr.”
MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital named its pediatric basketball court “Craig’s Court” in a ceremony Thursday honoring the legend.
“Craig’s Court” is where pediatric patients and young adults at MD Anderson spend time playing basketball while undergoing cancer treatment.
Although he is no longer with us, Sager is very worthy of this honor, and we know his memory will always live on.
A tribute to Sager.
A year ago today, we lost the legendary Craig Sager. pic.twitter.com/3B01HH6DAE
— ESPN (@espn) December 15, 2017
Via an ESPN article from Dec. 15, 2016:
“Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us,” Turner president David Levy said in a statement. “There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.
“While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it’s the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong.”
Known for his colorful and distinctive suits during his more than 40-year career, the legendary sideline reporter battled acute myeloid leukemia since he was first diagnosed in 2014.
Via Stacy Sager on The Players’ Tribune:
Craig hated boasting or talking too much about himself. So I’ll do it for him.
He was one of the most beloved and recognizable broadcasters in television. He won two Emmys for his work. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and he was the recipient of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. He wrote a bestseller about his life and fight with cancer, Living Out Loud. His passion for sports — and people — turned his career into one big adventure. You could find him chasing down Hank Aaron on the field for an interview the night Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record, or running with the bulls in Pamplona, or climbing the Great Wall of China. In college, you would’ve seen him dodging the cops as he ran across Wrigley Field mid-game.
More from the ESPN article mentioned above:
In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said teams will observe a moment of silence in Sager’s memory.
“I — along with the entire NBA family — am deeply saddened by the passing of Craig Sager,” Silver said. “Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches. A true original and an essential voice on Turner Sports’ NBA coverage for 26 seasons, Craig chronicled some of the most memorable moments in league history and was a ubiquitous presence with his splashy suits and equally colorful personality.
“Craig earned widespread respect for his insightful reporting and inspired so many, most recently with his courage. Our hearts go out to his wife, Stacy; his children, Kacy, Craig Jr., Krista, Riley and Ryan; and his friends and colleagues.”
Craig Sager is a legend.
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