"That brother is cool as the other side of the pillow."
~ Stuart Scott
I will never forget the first few times I saw him on the ESPN SporstsCenter broadcast. This young brother with a boxed out fade haircut talking in standard english . . .but with an edge. Speaking a language that felt easy and familiar. But always, always with this hint of mischief that made him intriguing.
I remember him recapping an NBA finals game where Jordan or Barkley or someone of that caliber hit a three pointer on the buzzer to win the game. "BOO-YOWW!" he yelled out with a laugh as his co-anchor sat by looking mostly entertained and confused.
BOO-YOW!!!
Now. This would be become a famous "Stuart Scott-ism"-- but to kids like us from places like Inglewood, California who'd played HORSE on playgrounds or who'd simply lived. . . that wasn't foreign to us at all. Ha ha ha. . .the only weird part was how ESPN would ultimately spell it on the wall of the studio: "BOO-YAH." (Everyone knows that a every "in-yo-face" sports moment is pronounced BOO-YOW.)
Ha.
He said things on the air like, "Holla at a playa if you see him on the street!" and "You ain't got to go home, but you got to get the heck up outta here!" He described meeting a sports icon and made us all laugh out loud with his famous line, "That brother is cool as the other side of the pillow." You tell me what is cooler than that? The other side of the pillow, man? His unapologetic style was like a breath of fresh air, man. It truly was.
This morning Stuart Scott passed away at the age of 49 after a 7 year battle with cancer. He left behind two daughters, his dear siblings, and both of his parents. And, of course, world of people who adore and admire him.
Yeah.
I'm so inspired by his fearlessness. He blazed his own trail and owned his space. Nothing says "boo-yow" like knowing who you are and walking in your own authority. Being who you are permits others to do the same. At least, that's what I think.
Man. I guess I don't really have much else to say. I just feel so sad.
Rest in peace, Brother Stuart. Thanks for your fearless example. You were cool as the other side of the pillow. And you know what? That's cool, man. That's as cool as it gets.
Yeah.
***
Happy Sunday.
Such a class act as evidenced here.
Thank you for this. The man was a class act.
ReplyDeleteHe was also a fellow Tar Heel -- two years behind me at UNC - Chapel Hill. A fine person, and it's sad that he died so young.
ReplyDeleteStuart's death reminds me yet again, how young my mom was when she transitioned at the age of 50! Cancer SUCKS. I pray that God will bless his family, especially his girls. This is really sad and he was TOO, TOO young.
ReplyDeleteTo me, he was ESPN. He was the true definition of a fighter and lived life on his own terms. He'll be missed dearly.
ReplyDeleteoh my....I did not know his story. thank you for telling it...xo
ReplyDeleteI cried when I found out about his passing. He made ESPN so relevant and fun for me. I cried for his daughters who lost their parent and for his parents who lost their child. He was awesomely authentic and I loved him for that.
ReplyDeleteI watched this video yesterday morning and cried some sad tears for his loss, and took away some inspiration from him too. What a role model. He will be missed so much.
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