ESPN’s Dick Vitale is in remission following a battle with vocal cord cancer, but his return to the airwaves to call college basketball this season will be delayed.
Doctors are encouraged by the progress the broadcasting icon has made as his vocal cords continue to heal, but they want him to continue to rest before getting back to calling games later this season. It had been hoped that Vitale could return to calling games later this month, but that plan has been pushed back indefinitely.
“I have to listen to the medical experts, who have been so good to me, and with some more rest, I know I will be back for my 45th season,” the 84-year-old Vitale said in a statement. “I’ve been so touched by the amazing response I’ve received.”
Vitale was candid in discussing the toll that radiation treatments have taken on his voice.
“The cancer is gone, which is amazing news, yet the impact of the treatments has taken its toll on my voice and requires more healing,” Vitale said.
Vitale has successfully beaten three different cancer diagnoses in recent years, having previously battled melanoma and lymphoma. Nevertheless, Vitale has been as vibrant as ever on social media and through The V Foundation, for which he has tirelessly advocated and raised money for a cure to pediatric cancer.
College basketball fans are sure to rejoice Vitale’s return later this season, but it remains to be seen when he will be cleared to return to doing what he loves for ESPN.
