Tearful Goodbyes

The loss of Stuart Scott is a big one for anyone who is a fan of sports. I have never known a world without him on my tv, recounting the newest developments in sports news. After he died a few weeks ago, I began to learn more about Stuart and how he made sports news what it is today. I simply had no idea what kind of impact he had on it. Through the touching tributes his friends have done for him, I have learned that it is because of him the sports news that I grew up loving wouldn’t have been the same without him. I learned how he stood up to racism without violence or anger but intelligence and cunningness. It wouldn’t have been so funny or full of individuals personalities. Because of Stuart Scott, the people that came after him were able to make sports news what they wanted and how they wanted to to speak to the public.

It is still just a little unbelievable I will never turn on my tv and see him again, spouting out one of his trademark catchphrases. But I know that even though he’s gone, he isnt because he’s impact on the sports world will be there forever. Everything that happens from now on will be partially because of him and his style. If anyone is wondering how an atheist like me copes will death, this is one of the ways. I’m not really scared of dying because even though I don’t believe there is an afterlife, I do believe that if you leave an impact on the world, you are never truly gone.

Tonight Danny Green is wearing special shoes to honor Stuart Scott. I hope these tributes never end and we never forget of the way he changed basketball.

Okay, so what does any of this have to do with anything this blog is supposed to be about, you might be thinking. While I can’t say there is anything good about Stuart Scott’s passing, there is one thing I saw in the tributes that was both surprising and inspiring.

In the many tributes that were made for him, there were interviews of his friends, many of them male. And those men were crying at the loss of their beloved friend. Rich Eisen, a long time friend and coworker of Scott’s, gave a touching speech on air when he learned of his friend’s death. With tears streaming down his face, he told the audience of the brave man he knew and what an inspiring life he had while he was here.

I think there is something to be said about how as a society and culture, these men felt no shame in crying on tv. There was no need or desire by ESPN to make these men seem “tough” or “strong”. They were allowed to be on tv and cry.

I think of the impact this has on all the people watching the tributes. I think of the people who are watching these tributes who were being shown our culture and society are accepting of this behavior from men.