LAS VEGAS — Legendary ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale returned to television Tuesday for his first time since receiving a cancer diagnosis and could not hold back his emotion.
In October, Vitale announced he has lymphoma and would undergo six months of chemotherapy. At the time, he said his doctors told him the lymphoma has a 90% cure rate, and he planned to continue working.
We're so happy you're back, @DickieV ❤️
— ESPN (@espn) November 24, 2021
#VStrongBaby pic.twitter.com/oEjtAAOi3U
On Tuesday night, Vitale was attended the game between Gonzaga and UCLA. He was unable to hold back tears at the beginning of the broadcast, CNN reported.
So excited sitting with Dave O’Brien @ courtside / join us / can’t believe I am here after Doctors told me I had cancer on Oct 12. pic.twitter.com/WQqlLvQaAm
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 24, 2021
This is just the latest health challenge Vitale is facing. In August, he told fans he underwent surgeries to remove a melanoma from his nose, Today reported.
Vitale has been with ESPN for more than 40 years, and called the network’s first-ever major NCAA basketball game in 1979.
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