‘Cancer is gone,’ but Vitale hold-ups ESPN return

Nov 13, 2023, 05:33 PM ET

Hall of Famer Cock Vitale stated his vocal cord cancer “is gone” however he requires more time for voice recovery and is not yet ready to go back to his longtime position as an ESPN college basketball expert, it was announced Monday.

“While I’m disappointed with the current developments, I stay confident,” Vitale, 84, stated in a statement. “The cancer is gone, which is fantastic news, yet the impact of the treatments has actually taken its toll on my voice and needs more healing.”

Vitale, who was identified with cancer in July and underwent radiation treatments, was purchased to rest his voice for months and had actually wanted to return at the end of November. However, Dr. Steven Zeitels, director of the MGH Center for Laryngeal Surgical Treatment and Voice Rehab Center, recommended that Vitale rest his vocal cords further.No particular

date for his return has been set.

“With the season started, I am jumping out of my shoes to be back in the college basketball arenas, calling the game I like and being around so many terrific coworkers and fans,” Vitale said. “I need to listen to the medical experts, who have been so excellent to me, and with some more rest, I understand I will be back for my 45th season. I’ve been so touched by the fantastic action I have actually gotten.”

Vitale has actually been with ESPN considering that 1979, the year the network launched. He called ESPN’s very first college basketball broadcast.In 2021, Vitale was

identified with lymphoma, months after he had multiple surgical treatments to get rid of cancer malignancy. He chronicled his treatments and recovery on social media, posting images of physician sees and health center stays while providing motivational tips taped before he was put on voice rest. In 2015, he revealed that he was cancer-free. “Dick has the full support of his whole ESPN family, and,

while we eagerly anticipate a go back to his rightful courtside perch, he needs to concentrate on totally mending his singing cords, “ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.”Spectator all over will anxiously await his comeback whenever he is all set.”