The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CRAIG SAGER’S COLORFUL LIFE: SPORTS WORLD MOURNS LOSS
Colorful, incisive TNT reporter loses lengthy battle with leukemia.
Craig Sager, who made multicolored outfits look fashionable on TV and finally cashed in on his yearly bet on his beloved Chicago Cubs winning the World Series, died of leukemia at his home Thursday afternoon in Canton. He was 65.
A longtime basketball broadcaster for TNT and TBS, Sager’s battle with cancer became a national one as he gave a passionate speech about his life on ESPN after winning the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs in July.
Wearing another of his infamous wild-looking sports jackets, standing beside Vice President Joe Biden and wiping away tears in front of his family and millions of viewers, Sager talked about how he had changed since his diagnosis.
“Time,” he said, “is something that cannot be bought. It cannot be wagered with God, and it is not in endless supply. Time is simply how you live your life.”
Sager battled hard against
the disease, being told in April 2014 that he had acute myeloid leukemia. Going immediately into treatment, he missed the NBA playoffs. While sitting in a hospital bed, he watched his son, Craig Jr., fill in for him during a playoff game and do an interview with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who sent a get-well message to his friend.
It was Craig Jr. who helped save his father’s life, as he was a bone-marrow transplant match and gave him the marrow that initially pushed him into remission. Sager Sr. went back to work and was celebrated on NBA courts across the country, but by March 2016 the leukemia had returned.
While receiving treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the Batavia, Ill., native threw out the first pitch in a game at Wrigley Field this past season and finally collected on a $1,000 bet he had been making every year since 1981 on the Cubs to win it all.
Sager also spent time with his son writing a recently published book called “Living Out Loud.” The forward was written by good friend and Hall of Fame basketball player Charles Barkley, who wrote about Sager: “His passion for basketball and for sports in general is unmatched. The guy just loves being at sporting events. Listen, if a guy was his school’s mascot, you have to believe he has an underlying passion for sports.”
Turner President David Levy issued this statement:
“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. 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.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement.
“I — along with the entire NBA family — am deeply saddened by the passing of Craig Sager. Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches. A true original and an essential voice on Turner Sports’ NBA coverage for 26 seasons, Craig chronicled some of the most memorable moments in league history and was a ubiquitous presence with his splashy suits and equally colorful personality. Craig earned widespread respect for his insightful reporting and inspired so many most recently with his courage.
“Our hearts go out to his wife, Stacy; his children, Kacy, Craig Jr., Krista, Riley and Ryan; and his friends and colleagues.”
In the statement, the league noted that teams will be observing a moment of silence in Sager’s memory.
From the team’s Twitter account, the Hawks posted “RIP, friend” with the hashtag #SagerStrong.
Also in a statement, Hawks President and coach Mike Budenholzer said:
“Craig was a great ambassador for our game and someone we will all truly miss. He had the unique ability to connect with people, and it showed in his work and passion for life. I’m fortunate to have been able to work with him and call him a friend.”
“On behalf of the team, coaches and front office, we extend our deepest condolences to his family.”
Sager was a graduate of Northwestern University, spending a year as Willie the Wildcat, the school’s mascot. He began his broadcasting career doing spring training and preseason games for the Royals and Chiefs.
He got his break when he was working for a radio station in Sarasota after talking his sports director into sending him to Atlanta to see Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth’s home run record.
Wearing a long white overcoat, Sager bolted onto the field as Aaron was reaching home plate and quickly interviewed the new home run king as the historic moment and the celebration unfolded.
Sager joined CNN full-time in 1981, beginning his career with Turner Sports and covered multiple sports, including the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, and 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Last year was his 20th season as the sideline reporter for TNT’s Thursday night NBA doubleheader, and while it may be basketball that he will be most remembered for, he battled with everything he had against the cancer that eventually took his life, writing in the introduction of his book, “I have savored every ounce of sunshine, of sea breeze, of buffalo shrimp, of private moments with my bride and children.”
He ended the book with the sarcastic but dry tone that made him popular, saying, “Oh, and by the way, my first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game in June? High and wide, but made it 60 feet, 6 inches.”
Sager is survived by his wife Stacy and his children, Kacy, Craig Jr., Krista, Riley and Ryan.