ESPN basketball icon Dick Vitale breaks his silence amid vocal cord cancer battle and shares emotional video with fans: ‘I didn’t speak for seven months’


  • Vitale has regained his voice following his latest battle with vocal cord cancer
  • He plans on returning to the ESPN booth on November 28 for Miami-Kentucky
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

Dick Vitale has regained his voice following his latest battle with vocal cord cancer, and now the 84-year-old college basketball announcer is already planning his return to the ESPN booth.

An emotional Vitale sent a video of himself and his doctor to Tampa Bay Times reporter Joey Knight on Monday – and as the former Detroit Pistons coach explained, the footage shows him speaking for the first time in seven months.

‘This is the first time I’ve been able to speak,’ Vitale said through his fluttering, raspy voice. 

‘I’m gonna do it in moderation for the next couple weeks … I’m emotional. I’m excited. I didn’t speak, you gotta understand, for seven months. You’re the first people hearing my voice in a long, long time.’

The famously verbose Vitale underwent radiotherapy in September, which his doctor said went ‘remarkably well.’

Dr. Steven Zeitels, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation

Dick Vitale (left) is speaking again, thanks to Mass General’s Dr. Steven Zeitels (right)

A former coach at Detroit Mercy and with the NBA's Pistons, Vitale is a celebrated announcer

A former coach at Detroit Mercy and with the NBA’s Pistons, Vitale is a celebrated announcer

‘At this point, he can start using his voice,’ said Dr. Steven Zeitels, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation. ‘He’ll see how long it takes to recover. We had planned to look under the microscope in the operating room [Tuesday], but it looks so terrific that we are going to wait on that because I see no evidence of the cancer whatsoever.’

Vitale may have another surgery to improve his voice down the road.

‘Given the remarkable recovery he’s had in the last few weeks, the best pathway now is patience, and let’s see how Dick can heal himself and get back to what he loves to do,’ Zeitels said.

The next step comes November 28, when Vitale hopes to return to the booth in Lexington for Miami-Kentucky at Rupp Arena. 

Vitale has already beaten cancer before, having survived previous battles with melanoma and lymphoma.

He’s also become synonymous with the disease through his charity work as a board member with the V Foundation, which is named for his friend, broadcasting partner, and former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano, who died from cancer in 1993.



Source link

Visited 2 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Chivu’s Inter crushes Fabregas 4-0, Fiorentina full-blown crisis

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Venezia FC at San Siro Stadium on December 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Watch and listen to the latest news updates

2026 FIFA World Cup: Messi, Ronaldo, Salah, Yamal and all the stars to know

The 2026 Word Cup is approaching next summer and most of the biggest soccer stars will arrive in the United States, Canada and Mexico to represent their national teams at the best tournament in the world that takes place every four years. The 2026 World Cup will likely also be the last one of some

Serie A: Inter thrashes Como before hosting Liverpool in Champions League

Inter Milan moved top of Serie A on Saturday after hammering high-flying Como 4-0 at the San Siro, ahead of the visit of struggling Liverpool in the Champions League. Strike partnership Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram scored in each half before Hakan Calhanoglu and Carlos Augusto netted late as Inter eased to a victory which

Mohamed Salah: Liverpool star’s public attack piles pressure on Arne Slot

Slot has not had to go looking for problems as Liverpool have slumped this season, despite spending almost £450m in the summer. But the biggest landed when Salah decided to go public with obvious fury at his treatment. Salah uses his words carefully and strategically. At most matches since arriving at Anfield from Roma in

Premier League: Liverpool capitulate again; Arsenal suffer title race blip

Super sub Ao Tanaka struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time to heap more misery on Liverpool as they held the Premier League champions to a 3-3 draw at Elland Road on Saturday (6 Dec). Arne Slot’s Reds looked on course for a second successive win in the Premier League when Hugo Ekitike scored

Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo: La Liga – teams, start time, lineups | Football News

Who: Real Madrid vs Celta VigoWhat: Spain’s La LigaWhere: Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, SpainWhen: Sunday, December 7, at 9pm (20:00 GMT)How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream. Real Madrid will seek only a second top-flight win in five matches when

Reds in crisis as Salah row erupts after 3-3 draw

LEEDS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road on December 06, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images) While Inter are brimming with confidence after a 4-0 win over Cesc Fabregas’ Como,

Starting XIs, confirmed team news for Premier League clash

Enzo Maresca has named his Chelsea side to face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Blues are looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Leeds in midweek. With Moises Caicedo continuing to serve his suspension following a red card against Arsenal, Maresca discussed the options in his squad as

Breaking: Germany’s FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule is out

Following the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Centre in D.C., Germany’s opponents were revealed to be the Caribbean island nation Curaçao, the African powerhouse Côte D’Ivoire and South America’s Ecuador. Having placed in what can be considered a fairly easy draw, Germany must begin their preparations at the soonest. By June, the DFB must

Thauvin shines as Lens keeps top spot in France with win at Nantes

Associated Press PARIS (AP) — Lens stayed atop Ligue 1 after Florian Thauvin was decisive again with the opening goal in a 2-1 win at Nantes on Saturday. Wesley Said scored the winner in the 81st minute as Lens extended its winning streak to five matches. Youssef El-Arabi leveled the scoring for the host. Lens

Official: Real Madrid name squad to face Celta Vigo, with a season debut

1 La Liga giants Real Madrid have unveiled their latest matchday squad, to face Celta Vigo. And it features one altogether noteworthy inclusion, at the back. This comes amid confirmation that youngster Joan Martínez has been afforded his first senior call-up of the term. Defender Joan has spent the season to date rebuilding fitness on

40yo ex-Gunner sees red for first time in Spain

Santi Cazorla was sent off in Spanish football for the first time on Friday night after a late VAR intervention upgraded a yellow card to a straight red during Real Oviedo’s 0-0 draw with Mallorca. Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images Advertisement The incident came in the closing stages at the Carlos Tartiere when

USMNT’s Mauricio Pochettino says he would ‘love’ Premier League return

Dec. 6, 2025, 11:54 a.m. ET United States men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino told the BBC that he wants to coach in the English Premier League again. Pochettino was Tottenham’s boss from 2014-2019 and led Spurs to one of the most successful spells in club history. Pochettino didn’t win any trophies during his time

Streameast soccer: Where to stream Premier League free live today: Matchday 15

If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Watch Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol, center, look to help his side in an English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Sunderland on Saturday, Dec. 6. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)AP A jam-packed week for the English Premier League rolls

Premier League Soccer: Stream Leeds vs. Liverpool Live From Anywhere

When to watch Leeds vs. Liverpool Saturday, Dec. 6 at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT). Where to watch Leeds United vs. Liverpool will air in the US on Peacock Premium. 73% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months). Now only $3.49/month See more details See at Now Watch the Premier League in the UK

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x