Just past 10:00PM last Wednesday night, a well-known man was honored with a prestigious award at the 2016 ESPYS on ABC television network. Craig Sager was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia back in 2014 and after overcoming many obstacles, relapsed again in March of this year; this time he was told he would have 3-6 months to live. Craig Sager is a well-known name in the sports world and is best known for his most recent gig with Turner Sports as a sideline reporter for Thursday night NBA double header coverage. He is often easily recognized by his conspicuous sense of style in the suits he wears. But more important than his professional career, medical diagnosis, or sense of fashion, Craig Sager is a wise man who shared his wisdom with all of America late Wednesday night as he received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.

Craig shared his advice on how to live a fearless and happy life through his tear-filled eyes. He first thanked his wife by saying, “There is no fear in love and your love is my strength.” He went on to thank his family and his Turner Sports family. He discussed the change in his perception of time since he has been diagnosed with a terminal disease.

“Time is something that cannot be bought. It cannot be wagered with God. And it is not an endless supply. Time is simply how you live your life” Sager said.

Sager compared each day as a canvas waiting to be painted with endless opportunities. He continued on to talk about the power of mindset and said, “The way you think is the way you feel, and the way you feel determines how you act.” In order to stay positive and willing to fight every day, you must have a positive outlook and set your mind to only see success.

“If we don’t have hope and faith, we have nothing,” Sager said. Living life full of love and full of fun is the best way to continue fighting each and every day and there is a lot to take from that. Having that advice come from someone whose life depends on it has a powerful meaning and should not go without be used.

So as I stood at work with no tables left to serve, leaning on the bar and listening to Craig Sager speak, there was an eerie, yet compelling atmosphere surrounding the few customers left finishing their drinks. The servers, the bartenders, and the customers all stopped their conversations to listen to what Craig had to offer us all for those ten minutes and we left as better people because of it. He is a man full of wisdom, perseverance, courage, strength, and passion and I hope and pray that one day, together, we can beat this horrendous disease once and for all. Craig said he would continue to keep fighting and sucking the marrow out of life, as life sucks the marrow out of him. So in the meantime, keep on fighting Craig. Don’t ever give up and don’t ever give in.

#NeverGiveUp

Below are links to view Craig's journey with cancer, as well as his full length speech.

Craig Sager's Inspirational Journey

Craig Sager Recipient of Jimmy V Perseverance Award