January 4th 2016 marks the one-year anniversary of the death of legendary ESPN analyst Stuart Scott’s death from cancer. He was first diagnosed with the disease in 2007.
In 2014, Scott was presented with the Jimmy V award at the ESPYs. In his speech, his love for his daughters was on full display. Taelor (20) and Sydni Scott (16), penned a touching open letter to their father on the Dear World website:
Dear Dad,
Growing up we thought all Dads worked “inside the television.” This last year, we realized the full impact you’ve had on the world, and how important you were to so many. A whirlwind year of appearances and accepting awards on your behalf, Lifetime Achievement Awards, Hall of Fame Inductions, your book launch and even a visit to the White House — has given us great insight into the mark you left during your lifetime. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to meet many people whom you profoundly impacted, share our grief and our memories while giving back on your behalf and continuing the legacy you started in raising cancer awareness.
You lived your life with a fierce sense of authenticity, passion and competitiveness, giving it your all and reaching for the best in everything you did. When you were diagnosed with cancer, you showed the world how to fight with that same fierce passion, instilling a sense of hope and inspiration to so many. And in the end you taught us all how to win – live or die – by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live.
From you Dad, we’ve learned to reach for the fight we possess inside and apply it with passion to our lives. It was through your vulnerability, that you taught us the real value of strength in never giving up.
Love, Tae & Syd
(Your heartbeats)