Steve Spurrier shouts out Dick Vitale in return to commentating

For the first time in two years legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale returned to the airwaves for ESPN, calling a college basketball game between Clemson and Duke over the weekend.

It was an emotional moment, one in which Vitale found himself supported from across the globe.

Just about everyone in the sports world was overjoyed to see him back behind a microphone, including former Florida and South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier opened up on what the moment meant.

“Dickie Vitale’s back. Dickie V was back,” Spurrier said on Another Dooley Noted Podcast. “He was doing the Clemson and Duke game. And of course I was pulling for Duke, my old school, but Clemson sort of outplayed them right at the end, made all their free throws and upset Duke, who was No. 2 in the nation at that time.

“And Dickie Vitale was on the microphone, and he’d been out a couple years with that cancer treatment and so forth. So it was good to see him come back and do well.”

Dick Vitale delivered an emotional message on the broadcast with cohost Cory Alexander, after ESPN switched from Lakers vs. Pacers to the game between the two ACC powers.

Saturday served as a celebration of Vitale, 85, now that he’s cleared to get back behind the microphone. He thanked the Clemson faithful for the recognition, which included a standing ovation.

“I just want to say thank you to all the people,” Dick Vitale said into the camera. “The reception here has been really off the charts. I’m sorry for being so emotional, but I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here. I was telling Cory before, this is like my Super Bowl. Sitting courtside doing a game, it beats the hell out of chemotherapy and radiations.

“I want to say to all cancer patients out there, please, listen to me. Think positive and have faith and keep fighting and fighting and fight. I know what you’re going through, and it’s not fun. But to be here, this is my Super Bowl, Dave. It is my championship, no matter what happens.”

In June 2024, Dick Vitale revealed he had been diagnosed with lymph node cancer and would undergo treatment. It was Vitale’s fourth battle with cancer since 2021, having previously survived lymphoma, melanoma and vocal cord cancer.

On Jan. 8, Vitale announced that he’d defeated cancer once again, paving the way for him to return to the airwaves.

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