Stuart Scott, Gone but Never Forgotten

The Sports World Mourns it's love one, Stuart Scott

Growing up, I became a bit of a sports junkie.  Waking up and sitting on the couch to watch Sports Center, became a every weekend thing. There was a guy on the show that seemed to be very different compared to the other anchors, but he seemed to draw you in. I grew up play a bunch of sports. Anything sports related or that you kept score in, my friends and I were involved in. From watching Stuart Scott and the urge to one day be on Sports Center, I made it my lifetime goal to go on a play college sports and make it to the pros in some form or fashion. 

The more I watched Sports Center, the more my love for sports grew. Eventually, I found myself as a full scholarship athlete at one of the most prestigious Universities in the United States. At Fordham University I pushed my way to a significant roll as a football squad and a participant of the Track & Field Team.

But mainly, Stuart Scott taught me that you should be different. He influenced me greatly to pick something your good at and succeed in it and don't pay too much attention to your naysayers but mainly to the people who genuinely support you. Throughout my sports career, I've kept that message in the back of my mind. Similarly to Stuart Scott, I've had my fair share of ups and downs. From season ending injuries, to loved ones passing in crucial times of my life. From his work as an African American journalist, I grew a passion for writing and chose a major that would help me broaden my skills. As a near college graduate, majoring in Communications and Media Studies, Stuart Scott gave me the motivation to create my blog. With Stu, he wasn't afraid to take risks and he was extremely real. I've learned you have to be very opinionated and genuine. From watching Stuart Scott, I realized that anything is possible. He was able to survive and put his twist on journalism as a whole.

From his "radical" approach to sports, his urban mannerisms, rap references and just great at being cool, Stuart Scott became an important part of Sports Center. Through his work, he not only made a young kid from Ft Worth, Texas laugh and love sports, but everyone who watched him grew a liking for his work.

Stuart Scott paved his way with his crafty catchphrases, like "Booyah and Cooler than the other side of the pillow." Some people viewed his style of journalism and urban way of speaking as way left. Compared to his counterparts on a white American sports journalism network, he was dramatically different in his approach to Sportscasting. Stuart Scott never once faked who he was. On and off air, Stuart Scott can be recognized as one of the most influential, charismatic, energized, heart warming human beings on Sports television.

Stuart Scott was brought to ESPN to appeal to a more youthful and diverse audience, and he nailed it! From any point of view, when you think ESPN, you think Stuart Scott. As an african American , he became one of the most influential and popular faces of sports journalism. Over his close to 20 years on ESPN, he quickly grabbed the attention and appeal of its millions of viewers from every demographic you can think of.

Stuart Scott would typically cover sports with most African Americans, like the NFL & NBA but transitioned to covering any sport featured on ESPN.

The Vice President of ESPN, Al Jaffe,  knew that Stuart Scott's style was dramatic and different but people would just have to learn to adapt and love because he simply was changing how they covered sports. His right hand man, buddy on air and fellow news anchor described Scott to be nothing short of greatness. Stan Verrett called him a trailblazer, " Not only because he was black obviously, but because of his style, his demeanor, his presentation. He did not shy away from the fact that he was a black man, and that allowed the rest of us who came along to just be ourselves." --ESPN

This past Sunday, January 4, 2015, was one of the saddest days in history next to the death of Michael Jackson. Stuart Scott had been dealing with Cancer for close to 7 years. Time after time, Stu was able to kick Cancer's ass and continue the good fight as one of the most popular newscasters ever. But during his speech at this past years ESPY Awards, many knew it was only a matter of time because he didn't look like the same strong and energetic Stu. In fact, he had had several surgeries leading up to the awards ceremony and many didn't think he'd be able to make the trip. But knowing who we were dealing with, many weren't surprised to see Stuart Scott walk up that stage and deliver a momentous message.

He left us with the words,"When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer," he said that day. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live. So live and fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight, then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you. That’s also very, very important. I can’t do this 'Don’t give up thing' all by myself."-- Stuart Scott

Stuart Scott's ESPY speech was very influential and heartwarming. As an African American, his words were dramatically touching. As a mentor and an icon for the African American community, he was able to create the message that we should all have hope in any circumstance and continue our paths to success. Stuart Scott embraced raced and a sense of style that every person could relate to. He created a much different view of blacks in the mainstream media and proved that anything is possible.

Hit hard and saddened by the loss, many feel the sadness as one of our angels taken to Heaven. Stuart Scott left a legacy that many can only strive to touch the surfaces of. Prayers and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones. May God bless his soul and the people he touched.

Rest Easy Stuart Scott.

July 19, 1965 - January 4, 2105

LS

LIBERIA!

Monrovia, Liberia just over a million people jammed pack into one little country. Liberia at one time was one of the most beautiful, peaceful and joyus travel destinations of west Africa and the continent as a whole. The country began as a new destination for free African- Americans, and began to be separated by the native born and Americans. 

The population began to grow and grow as people were moving from the countrysides of Ivory Coast and the outstretches of Liberia into the city's capital Monrovia. Things were going well and the country had great potential as a port for importing and exporting of natural resources, manufactured goods and other items like food, oil and the country's gold mind of rubber. The poets were also tanker facilities and a fishery pier. 

The events that took place and destroyed the beautiful motherland and first American Colonized Colony, were due to former President of Liberia Samuel Doe. Doe led a military coup and Liberia was caught in two consecutive civil wars, which were infamous for their destructive violence. 

The Doe military "take-over" was a bloody one, labelled ‘a revolution’ by the 18 enlisted men of the Armed Forces of Liberia who toppled the Government of William R. Tolbert. The 66-year old President was savagely murdered by private soldier Harrison Pennoh, who later proved mentally unstable. But Before the end of the month the entire Cabinet had been put on trial and sentenced to death, with no right to be defended by a lawyer and no right to appeal to the verdict. In a horrific scene they were all but one publicly executed on a beach near Monrovia. 

During these times, thousands of people were killed; women raped, children turned to army soldiers, homes fully destructed and destroyed, a thousands of bystanders brutally murdered. The liberian civil war, was one of Africa's bloodiest, claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Liberians and further displaced a million others into refugee camps in neighboring countries. 

By only the grace of God, the UN Troops and current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is at peace but still struggling to recover from such a devastating era. Monrovia, the capital, is a working port, but it's sprawling neighborhoods are generally poor with intermittent electricity. Despite its past, Monrovia has a friendly reputation thanks to its warmhearted residents.

Today, July 26th marks it's 167th Independence. This day is special to my homeland because it not only marks our freedom but it gives the country something to stand on. 

LS