Dick Vitale announces vocal cord cancer diagnosis

Longtime ESPN analyst Dick Vitale has gone public with another cancer diagnosis. Wednesday night, he announced he’s dealing with vocal cord cancer.

Vitale — who just last year beat lymphoma — was undergoing treatment for more vocal cord issues. Ultimately, the doctor discovered it was a form of cancer, and Vitale said he’s now undergoing radiation to treat it. Still, his goal is to be ready for college basketball to start in November.

“I’m sorry to share that I received tough news today from Dr. Zeitels about my throat,” Vitale wrote. “The tests on the tissues they removed showed that I have vocal cord cancer and will need 6 weeks of radiation to treat it. Dr. Z tells me that it has an extremely high cure rate, and that radiation, not more surgery, is the best path.

“I plan to fight like hell to be ready to call games when the hoops season tips off in the fall. Dr. Z feels that scenario is entirely possible. I want to say that I have been so touched by the tweets, texts, notes, and prayers, and will ask all of you to continue to send positive vibes.”

The timing of the news comes with a sad bit of irony. Vitale made the announcement just before the ESPYS got underway. Last year, he got up on stage and accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance and gave a heartfelt speech calling on people to help contribute to cancer research.

Vitale noted the day in his statement and reiterated his call to action, especially considering this is his third bout with cancer.

“This time last year, I was on the ESPYS stage, asking everyone to help in the cancer fight,” Vitale wrote. “This terrible disease strikes so many of our loved ones, and it’s now knocked on my door three different times. More research will continue to help in this fight.

“I’m grateful for my immediate family as well as my ESPN family for their incredible support, and so appreciative of the outstanding team of medical experts whose dedication has such a positive impact on so many lives. Love to all!”

Vitale has been a staple at ESPN since joining the network 42 years ago. He coached at the college level as an assistant at Rutgers and served as Detroit Mercy’s head coach from 1973-77. Vitale served as the Detroit Pistons head coach from 1978-79 before he got a microphone in his hand, eventually becoming one of the most beloved figures in college basketball.