Stuart Scott

Emperor Meiji: Tell me how he died.
Nathan Algren: I will tell you how he lived.
--The Last Samurai

Twenty years ago, I liked to kick back after a long week's work by tuning into ESPN2 on Fri nights. I liked the evening sports show co-anchored by a young sportcaster named Stuart Scott. Like others on the network, he delivered sports news with an 'edge.' It was easy to see that he would be successful.

Yesterday, Stu Scott died of stomach cancer at the age of 49.

Rather than mourning the loss of an exceptional media talent, I am celebrating the life of someone who demonstrated what it means to live. Particularly since his initial diagnosis in 2007, Scott showed that he was a fighter. He would not let disease dictate his life, often heading to the gym directly after treatments to exercise his indomitable spirit.

He remained devoted to his family and work throughout. While in the hospital, Scott once had a friend send live video feed of his daughter's soccer game, and wildly cheered as his daughter kicked multiple goals. Professionally, many in his network were unaware that he was ill. He was on location at several NFL games this season.

He told people, "You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."

Stuart Scott showed us what it means to do one's best when struggling against adversity of the worst kind. He showed us that when we fight that good fight, we win.