NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager passed away on Thursday. The sports fanatic was 65 and worked for Turner Network Television since 1981. In 2014, Sager was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a debilitating cancer of the blood cells and bone marrow. But he never let the news slow him down and he maintained his infectious positive attitude and upbeat outlook.
He was always able to get the biggest stars to answer tough questions, carried himself with outstanding professionalism and wore the most flamboyant suits in the world. There will never be another sideline reporter like Sager. Here’s some of his best moments in his career.
Craig Sager Jr. interviews Gregg Popovich:
Sager and San Antonio Spurs coach had an interesting relationship. With the unbelievable success as a head coach, Popovich became reluctant to speak with the media in-between quarters, which makes sense. He would simply give one word answers. Sager dealt with him many times, but he was able to build a great relationship with him.
When Sager was first diagnosed with leukemia, his son Craig Sager Jr. go to interview Popovich between the third and fourth quarters of the Spur’s first round 204 Western Conference Playoffs series with rival Dallas Mavericks.
Popovich answered all the young Sager’s questions and gave the elder Sager a “Get Well Soon” message for everybody watching the playoff game on TNT. It was the first moment to show just what Sager meant to the NBA and how much he was loved.
Work 2016 NBA Finals Game 6 for ESPN:
ESPN and TNT are rivals when it comes to broadcasting NBA games. ESPN has Doris Burke, who is a great sideline reporter, but they opened its arms to let Sager work Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. It was a class act to give Sager one more chance to call the big game. But it was with hopes that Sager would be back doing what he loved for the next season.
Kevin Garnett tells Sager to burn his suit:
Sager was good at getting reluctant members of the community to speak. He asked the right questions to get normally mute players and coaches to answer, and it made him one of the best in the business. Sager had the flashiest suits in the Western Hemisphere.
On February 15, 2009 Boston Celtics forward, Kevin Garnett helped define his one-of-a-kind fashion sense in an interview at the NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. Sager went to speak with Garnett about his performance, but Garnett couldn’t get past Sager’s suit. After completing the interview, Garnett told Sager to burn his suit.
The Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2016 ESPYs:
The ESPYs are an annual awards ceremony to celebrate the love of sports held by ESPN annually. Many players, teams and stories are celebrated in LA Live, but the most important award being handed out is the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. Sager won the award at the 2016 ESPYs for battling through leukemia to still provide the best coverage that he can for NBA. Sager would pass away just five months after being given this high honor on July 13, 2016.
No. 715 for Hank Aaron at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium:
Sager’s greatest moment happened when he was fresh out of Northwestern University as a 23-year-old looking to start his career. He was working for WXLT in Florida when he got the biggest opportunity in his life.
On April 8, 1974, the Atlanta Braves were hosting their NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Aging superstar, Hank Aaron, was at the plate looking to beak a Major League record set by Babe Ruth. That record was 714 career home runs.
Aaron fired the ball into left center field to become the all-time home run champion of the world. Sager met Aaron at the third base line to interview the new home run champion.
The sidelines won't be the same anymore, but your legacy will live on. It's been a great time watching you and sports just will never be the same. RIP Craig Sager.
