On Jan. 4, 2015, Stuart Scott, an iconic ESPN reporter, died at the age of 49 after he lost a long and painful fight with appendiceal cancer. In 2007, Scott was diagnosed with this unfortunate disease which he seemingly beat twice until it returned for its third, and last time in 2013. Even though Scott lost his life, and it appeared that cancer had won yet another battle, it had not. In the eyes of many, and even himself, Scott won this battle with cancer by displaying a positive attitude throughout his sickness and by simply living his life to the fullest.

When Scott began his career at ESPN, he brought something to the channel that the sports world had never seen before. He had invented a new way of reporting that included a vibrant feeling of enjoyment on the set. This kind of attitude was evident through various catchphrases such as “booyah” and “cooler than the other side of the pillow” that Scott always used to describe an event in the sports world. However, it was very apparent that this fun-loving attitude could not be embraced with just anyone on the broadcasting show, but only with the right person. Scott was the right person, which is why his death was so disheartening to many. Scott’s character could not be replicated. Whether it was a serious report or just a read-through of Sportcenter’s famous Not Top 10, Scott delivered his lines in a compelling way.

Although Scott may have been physically different during his sickness, on the ESPN set he was still the same person that so many had loved to watch for over two decades. As Scott was battling a terrible disease, he was still able to remain the same person that he was before. In the summer of 2014, he encouraged many people suffering with this disease to continue fighting in a speech that he gave after receiving an ESPY award at ESPN’s annual award show. Scott continued to inspire many to beat cancer up until his death. He taught the world that even if cancer was not overcome in a physical state, it could still be won with a positive perspective. In every way, Scott truly was “cooler than the other side of the pillow.”