Legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale has revealed that he is going through his third battle with cancer, this time with his vocal cords.
Vitale, 84, has had bouts with melanoma and lymphoma, both of which he won.
In typical «Dickie V» fashion, his optimism runs high.
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Dick Vitale during the NCAA Championship game between the Connecticut Huskies and the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023 in Houston. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
«I’m sorry to share that I received bad news today from Dr. Zeitels about my throat,» Vitale said on Twitter. «Tests on the tissues they removed showed that I have vocal cord cancer and will need 6 weeks of radiation to treat it. Dr. Z tells me it has an extremely high cure rate and radiation, not more surgery, is best.» «. path.
«I plan to fight like hell to be ready to call games when college basketball season begins in the fall. Dr. Z feels that scenario is entirely possible.»
LEGENDARY BASKETBALL ANNOUNCER DICK VITALE SAYS VOCAL PROBLEMS HAVE RESURFECTED, WILL HAVE MULTIPLE SURGERIES
Many have received prayers for Vitale, and they began Tuesday when he underwent surgery on his throat to see what was affecting his vocal cords.
Dick Vitale prepares to call a Baylor-Villanova game with Jon «Boog» Sciambi at the Ferrell Center on December 12, 2021 in Waco, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
«If you have time, please send him positive thoughts and prayers,» ESPN colleague Kevin Negandhi tweeted. «The man is tougher than anyone he knows, but your thoughts always cheer him up.»
Vitale has dealt with vocal cord problems in the past and said they came back last month. With this Dr. Zeitels surgery, Vitale is on «total voice rest for 6 to 8 weeks.»
With ESPYS tonight, Vitale is disappointed that he won’t be able to make it.
«This time last year, I was on stage at ESPYS, asking everyone to help fight cancer,» Vitale wrote. «This terrible disease affects many of our loved ones and has now knocked on my door on three separate occasions. We will continue to investigate to help in this fight.»
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale announces a game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Michigan State Spartans during the Champions Classic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 15, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
«I am grateful for my immediate family, as well as my ESPN family for their incredible support, and very grateful for the outstanding team of medical experts whose dedication has such a positive impact on so many lives. Love to all!»
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Vitale was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021, which came just months after beating melanoma after multiple surgeries. He announced last year that he was cancer free.