Dick Vitale and ESPN go hand in hand. Since 1979, he’s been the voice, the energy, the passion behind so many legendary college basketball moments. But if there’s one thing about Dickie V, it’s that his love for the game is unmatched. Even now, at 85, with a voice that’s a little raspier than before, his energy is still as infectious as ever. So imagine how tough it must have been for him to stay away. 

Imagine going through four different battles with cancer, facing surgery after surgery, and still finding a way back to the game. That’s what makes this moment so special. On Saturday night, Duke pulled off a 73-62 win over Louisville to clinch their 23rd ACC title.

But while that was special, something else took center stage. As the final minutes of the broadcast ticked down, our very own Dickie V was brought to tears, sharing an emotional message about his years-long battle with cancer.

Sitting between fellow announcers Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander, the Hall of Famer, with misty eyes, looked into the camera and said, “All the people have been so beautiful and all my people at ESPN tolerating and putting up with me in terms of, you know, my issues I’ve had. You’ve been great, man. You’ve been great.” 

His voice cracked as he continued, “It’s my last game this year, and I’m praying, hopefully, I can be back next year, maybe even better. I hope and pray my doctor really helps me with my voice.”

Vitale underwent surgery last summer to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck. He had previously been treated for melanoma and lymphoma and even underwent radiation treatments for vocal cord cancer. His journey has been anything but easy.

“It’s like, to me, a miracle to sit here with you guys,” he shared. “I can’t tell you how much you’ve meant to me. It’s been unbelievable. A tough three years. Those four cancer battles. I don’t wish it on anybody. Cancer sucks.”

Over the last four years, Dickie V has battled four different types of cancer, including vocal cord cancer. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021, just months after undergoing surgeries for melanoma. He fought through it all, announcing he was cancer-free in 2022, only to be hit with another blow in 2023. 

Vocal cord cancer threatened to take away the very thing that made him one of the most beloved figures in sports broadcasting—his voice. But in December, he once again conquered the disease and was finally cleared to return to calling basketball games.

He made his long-awaited return to ESPN on Feb. 8, calling a Duke game. The last time he had appeared on a broadcast before that was during the international feed of the 2023 national championship game between UConn and San Diego State.

Now, with the Duke-Louisville contest being his last one this year—but hopefully not the last of his legendary broadcasting career—Vitale’s emotional farewell had fans flooding social media with love and admiration.

Fans pour their hearts out for Dick Vitale

One fan summed it up perfectly, writing, “Dickie V is a national treasure.” And honestly, that’s not up for debate. Beyond his work, he’s a genuinely good human being. Alongside his own struggles, he took a moment to spread a message to others battling cancer. 

“Anybody battling cancer, please listen. Think positive always and have faith and believe. And if you’re out there as a person that knows somebody with cancer, send them a text message. Make a phone call. The bottom line, it means so much.” It’s classic Vitale, always lifting others up, even when he’s the one going through it.

Another fan chimed in, “A legend of the game BABY!!!” And who could argue? Vitale’s basketball knowledge is unmatched. His journey started as a high school coach in New Jersey, where he led teams to two state championships. He later became an assistant coach at Rutgers before taking over as head coach at the University of Detroit, where he notched a 78-30 record and led the team to the NCAA Tournament. 

He even had a brief stint coaching the Detroit Pistons before transitioning to ESPN in 1979, where he became the voice of college basketball. His experience, combined with his enthusiasm, made him an icon. For now, though, Vitale’s doctor has put him on a week of complete voice rest. 

And fans are hoping—and praying—that this isn’t the last we hear from him. “We’re always pulling for you @DickieV … you remain in my prayers,” another fan shared. Because, to his admirers, no one brings the same level of joy and passion to the game. And they all want to hear him shout “It’s awesome, baby!” a few more times.

Obviously, not everyone has been thrilled with Vitale’s career-long love affair with Duke and North Carolina. One fan pointed out, “If he lets go of his bias, he would be the greatest to ever announce.” And they have a point. Vitale has always been vocal about his admiration for certain programs, which has led to some frustrations. But even his biggest critics admit that bias or not, he’s still one of the best to ever do it.

Another fan brought up a story that truly encapsulates his legacy, “Dickie V will forever be the voice of college basketball.” From saying ‘Absolutely no way. I know nothing about TV,’ being reluctant to accept the position, and only doing so because his wife Lorraine told him to ‘go on TV and have some fun,’ to now being the voice of college basketball, it has been a journey. 

It’s hard to imagine now, but Dickie V wasn’t a natural when he first started. He had no experience, no training—just his raw passion for the game. But over time, he became the soundtrack of college basketball. So, as we wait to see what’s next for Dickie V, one thing’s for sure, college basketball just isn’t the same without him. Here’s hoping we get another season, another game, another classic call.