Longtime NBA reporter Craig Sager, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2014, has passed away, according to an announcement from Turner Sports (Twitter link via Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post).
“Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us. There will never be another Craig Sager,” Turner president David Levy said in a statement. “His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.
“While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it’s the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong.”
Sager underwent extensive treatment after his initial diagnosis, putting the cancer into remission. However, he later announced that he was no longer in remission and continued to battle an aggressive form of leukemia. After undergoing multiple bone marrow transplants, Sager passed away at age 65.
Hoops Rumors sends its best wishes and condolences to Sager’s family and friends.
RIP
Wow I knew he has problems but didn’t expect this sorry to hear. Rip mr sager
Que descanse en paz Craig Sager un gran hombre. :(
RIP
So sad. He’s the one guy to feet a good response and a smile out of Pop. Just a wonderful, high spirited guy
Oh Man… Sad… Thanks for all those years, Rest In Peace Brother!!!
♡
During my lifetime, there have been many different sports personalities that have come across my television screen, or through my radio. There has been some really great and influential individuals, and some that I could do without. Craig Sager was a personality that was always present, in so many different programs, obviously including basketball/NBA, the olympics, a little baseball, and other things. He always had a big smile, and you always felt that he was enjoying himself, and he did a great job of conveying that to the audience, and the athletes or anyone else he was around always seemed to pick up on that, and would be animated around him, allowing us to see more of them. He was more than just colorful suits. He was one of the faces of coverage of sports for my lifetime. It will be so weird to not see him on the sidelines. What he went through in the last 3 years is unimaginable. I’m glad he was able to experience people’s affection for him, and so many different historical events before he died, including seeing his Cubs win the World Series. What a fighter. He never ever gave up. Now, he can finally rest. He taught me more than a couple valuable life lessons. I havent done the best job of living my life, and doing it with positivity. I know that needs to change somehow. RIP Craig Sager. You will not be forgotten. Thank you for bringing so much joy to me over the years, covering the only thing I actually enjoy in this world, sports, and doing it with real passion
Great tribute. Thank you for sharing it.
Obviously, wish it was under better circumstances. Honestly, he was so full of life. How could you not gravitate towards someone like that? Such a sad story, but you never saw it from him, even near the end
You spelled “legend” wrong. Met him in Florida at a sports-philanthropy conference. He was a great guy May he rest in peace.