Craig Sager: Facts About The Legendary Sports Broadcaster
Start writing a post
Sports

Craig Sager: Facts About The Legendary Sports Broadcaster

Gone, but not forgotten.

168
Craig Sager: Facts About The Legendary Sports Broadcaster
NBA

On Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, the sports world lost its very own Turner Sports broadcaster, Craig Sager, at the age of 65.

Turner Sports announced the news on their network with a statement by the President stating:

"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," Turner president David Levy said in a statement. "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.

Sager was well known for his exceptional sideline interviews and was loved by the NBA. Not only was he loved by the NBA, he was loved by the entire sports world.

“We will forever be Sager Strong.”

Television Sports Broadcaster

Craig Sager has been an NBA sideline reporter with Turner Sports for more than 30 years and worked his first NBA Finals game in June of 2016 with sideline reporter Doris Burke. As a sideline reporter for the NBAs Broadcast on TNT, Sager was known for his analytical questions and could connect with players, coaches and fans.

First job was a weatherman

After graduating from Northwestern with a degree in Speech, Sager went to Tampa, Florida to apply for a weatherman job at a small news station. He auditioned, with no surprise, with a blue, white yellow seersucker suit, where he purchased at Goodwill. After his audition, Sager got the job but was later told that he couldn’t wear the suit because it clashed on TV.

Always wore colorful and loud suits and ties

If you didn’t recognize Craig Sager by his name only, then one way to recognize him was by his crazy outfits. His suits were bold, colorful and sometimes ridiculous, but we still loved watching him on the sidelines. He wore velvet, plaid, checkered, bright pink, deep purple, the list goes on and on. In addition to the crazy suits, Sager wore polka dotted ties with flowers as well.

Had his first sideline reporting job in the MLB

In the same year, Craig Sager started working in the sports industry. Working for the Atlanta Braves affiliate station in Sarasota, Florida. Sager interviewed Hank Aaron about breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. His interviews with Aaron are now located in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. New York.

Battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia

On April 10, 2014, Sager was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Sager was working the Spurs and Mavericks game in Dallas that night and felt that something wasn’t right. After the game, Sager went to the Mavericks team doctor and told him to go to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed. Sager later received a bone marrow transplant from his son.

However, cancer came back a year later. Sager once again went into surgery for another bone marrow transplant from his son.

On Aug. 31, Sager received a third bone marrow transplant, but this time from an anonymous donor, which is rare to obtain three transplants.

A Family Man

Craig Sager is survived by his wife, Stacey and his five children: Kacey, Craig Jr., Krista, Riley and Ryan. Sager’s wife was a former Chicago Bulls dancer and have two kids together Riley and Ryan, where Kacey, Krista, and Craig Jr. were from a previous marriage.

Inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame

Days before Sager passed away he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Sager was inducted alongside Verne Lundquist, Tim McCarver, and Robin Roberts. There is no question why Sager received such honor because his work on the sidelines for the NBA on TNT explains it all.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

93572
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments