ESPN's Stuart Scott, an Avon Resident, Dies at 49

Click below to watch Scott’s famous ESPY speech where he talked about how people can beat cancer.

Stuart Scott passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, at the age of 49, after his third bout with cancer.

Scott was often described as being “cooler than the other side of the pillow.” He came aboard the ESPN ship in 1993 when ESPN launched the ESPN 2 channel, according to the Hartford Courant. Since then he’s gone on to become synonymous with ESPN’s flagship show SportsCenter.

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Scott reportedly died in a Hartford-area hospital, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

He lived in Avon with daughters Taelor, 19, and Sydni, 15. Scott often talked and tweeted about their close relationship, Heavy.com reported.

Sydni Scott is well on her way to becoming a soccer star. She plays at Miss Porter’s School and was featured as Athlete of the Week in September on Farmington Patch.

Scott was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and was again diagnosed in 2011. The cancer returned a third time in 2013.

For many, he became just as much an inspiration for those fighting cancer as those who respected him for his broadcast work.

During a speech at the ESPYs he said, “When you die it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live.”

Athletes, old friends and others expressed their sorrow over his passing.

Michael Jordan said in a statement that he considered Scott an old friend that he had known since college.

Kobe Bryant said Scott changed the game forever and was a sportscasting legend.

Image via Stuart Scott Twitter page