(Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
Longtime Turner Sports broadcaster Craig Sager has died at the age of 65, the network confirmed in a statement today.
The legendary sideline reporter had battled acute myeloid leukemia since he was first diagnosed in 2014 and was admitted into the hospital in late November 2016.
Through a partnership between Turner Sports and ESPN, Sager worked his very first NBA Finals game in June. He joined sideline reporting with ESPN’s Doris Burke for Game 6 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors on ABC.
In July, ESPN presented Sager with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2016 ESPYS.
“Our thoughts are with the Sager family and our friends at Turner Sports,” said John Skipper, ESPN President. “Craig was a universally respected and beloved reporter and a one-of-a-kind personality. His memorable ESPYS speech demonstrated his exceptional strength and a relentlessly positive energy that inspired millions of us.”
ESPN2 will air a 30-minute tribute to Sager today beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
ESPN remembers Craig Sager.
Craig Sager delivered this speech at the 2016 ESPYS.
In June, ESPN’s Mike Breen and Doris Burke welcomed Craig Sager to ABC’s coverage of Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Many ESPN commentators remembered Sager on social media. Here is just a sampling:
My heart is broken. Craig Sager.
— Shelley Smith (@ShelleyESPN) December 15, 2016
Oh so sad. Dear dear Craig. You special man. https://t.co/Likznq0h4d
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) December 15, 2016
Craig Sager said in March while he hadn't won his battle with cancer, he had not lost it yet, either. Craig, you didn't lose. You won.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 15, 2016
Craig Sager was someone who made the worst case scenario seem manageable. He & his amazing family were inspiring & beautiful. Today sucks.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 15, 2016
Rest In Peace, Craig Sager. What a valiant and inspirational fight. May his good work continue as his legacy. Prayers for all loved Craig.
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) December 15, 2016
RIP Craig Sager. Your courage and grace were inspirational.
— Dan Shulman (@DShulman_ESPN) December 15, 2016
R.I.P. to one of the best. Thank you Craig Sager for inspiring me from afar w/ how you lived your life & loved your craft. @NBAonTNT #Legend
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) December 15, 2016
RIP to the NBA's signature sideline reporter and one-of-a-kind character Craig Sager … 2017 can't get here fast enough.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 15, 2016
So sorry to hear the news on Craig Sager. Just a wonderful guy gone from us entirely too soon. We'll all miss you buddy. #R.I.P.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 15, 2016
Loved this moment with @KingJames when Craig Sager finally got to do sideline reporting at the NBA Finals. https://t.co/vPPRdBzQMM
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) December 15, 2016
He fought like a champion, and lived like one too. A true original. A pro's pro. And a wonderful human being. #RIPCraigSager #SagerStrong
— Jay Harris (@JayHarrisESPN) December 15, 2016
#CraigSager lost his battle vs cancer may he rest in peace. #individual #memorable #warrior #NBA #proud #example #professional #RIP #qdep pic.twitter.com/bxw7pGrBa0
— Claudia Trejos (@ClaudiaTrejos) December 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Dottie_Pepper/status/809498675265339392
I came across Craig a few times in my travels. What a genuinely nice person. He inspired so many people in his final years. Rest in peace. https://t.co/09Prcj4Dfr
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 15, 2016
Heartbreaking news about the passing of Craig Sager at the age of 65. Such a great person who made work fun and we all were better for it.
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) December 15, 2016
Craig Sager was someone who made the worst case scenario seem manageable. He & his amazing family were inspiring & beautiful. Today sucks.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 15, 2016
Turner President David Levy had announced the passing of Craig Sager. Beyond sad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/809493964671905792
RIP, Craig. Thankful I got to see him at the ESPYs https://t.co/v3QuNS1okM pic.twitter.com/zhNifGgGf4
— Michael Smith (@michaelsmith) December 15, 2016
Craig Sager just interviewed God & asked him why Heaven's team was getting beat on offensive boards. God smiled.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) December 15, 2016
The Hustle: Craig Sager, 22, working for $95 a week for a radio station, was the closest to Hank Aaron after he hit #715. pic.twitter.com/gy0OwjuBYt
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 15, 2016
Don't you have a great story of the two of you drinking in New Orleans?
— Scott (@zhamoan) December 15, 2016
Every person covering basketball should learn for the way Craig Sager carried himself. Never took himself so seriously. Just a special man
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) December 15, 2016
Damn. You will be missed, Craig. #RIP https://t.co/yvSUokOnW5
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) December 15, 2016
