ESPN’s Dick Vitale Provides Emotional Update on Cancer Battle

Legendary ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale spoke publicly for the first time in months Monday amid his cancer fight.

In July, Vitale announced that his vocal cord cancer had resurfaced. Although he worked on air last season, Vitale missed portions of the 2021-22 campaign, underwent surgery for dysplasia on his vocal cords in ’21 and battled diagnoses of melanoma and lymphoma that same season.

On Monday, Dr. Steven Zeitels, director of the MGH Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation Center, said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Vitale had done “remarkably well” in managing the disease and that his vocal tissues were mostly healed.

“At this point, [Vitale] can start using his voice,” Zeitels said, per Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times. “He’ll see how long it takes to recover. We had planned to look under the microscope in the operating room [Tuesday], but it looks so terrific that we are going to wait on that because I see no evidence of the cancer whatsoever. … But given the remarkable recovery he’s had in the last few weeks, the best pathway now is patience, and let’s see how Dick can heal himself and get back to what he loves to do.”

Following Zeitel’s update, Vitale revealed that he plans to call his first game of the season on Nov. 28 when Miami visits Kentucky at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

“I hope and pray that I can be there,” a tearful Vitale said. “I plan on being there. … I plan on being in moderation up until that time. I love all of you and thank all of your for your prayers. … It’s been tough, but I just say have faith and think positive.”