Dick Vitale delivers tearful message to start ESPN return: 'This is my Super Bowl'

For the first time in two years, Dick Vitale is courtside calling a college basketball game. He, alongside Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander, are calling Saturday’s Duke vs. Clemson game – his first game back from multiple cancer battles.

As ESPN switched from the Lakers vs. Pacers to Duke vs. Clemson, Vitale delivered an emotional message during the under-12 minute timeout. He spoke about what it meant to be back on the airwaves, but also had a passionate plea to cancer patients who could be watching.

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. Dickie V’s return came one day before Super Bowl LIX, but he put Saturday’s game on that level in his mind.

"This is heaven. Sitting here is heaven." —Dickie V on returning to the broadcast booth 👏 pic.twitter.com/fpmLmWUpbF

— ESPN (@espn) February 9, 2025

“I just want to say thank you to all the people,” 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.”

Vitale was originally set to join O’Brien at the broadcast table Jan. 25, but suffered a fall at his home that pushed his return back. But the doctors ultimately cleared him a few days later, paving the way for him to be on the call for Clemson vs. Duke on Saturday.

“Just received the results of my cat scan of my head earlier today from Dr Cassidy my neurosurgeon & he was very pleased with my improvement from my accident last Friday,” Vitale wrote on X. “It was great to get his positive report [prayers are] powerful & GOD is so so GOOD!”

Dick Vitale has been away from the broadcast table after dealing with cancer treatment. He is now considered “cancer-free,” he previously said, and received his clearance Jan. 8 to get back behind the microphone. Instead, he will have to wait a bit longer to make his comeback.