In a supreme show of solidarity, sideline reporters from around the NBA have rallied together recently in unwavering support of TNT's Craig Sager. Famous for both his flashy wardrobe choices and his clever banter with coaches during NBA games, Sager has been battling acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer that typically offers a grim prognosis of three to six months to live. But Sager has refused to yield to that prognosis, continuing to man the sidelines of NBA games and in turn offering inspiration to countless people, peers and others alike.
In addition to engaging in battles of wit with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who has always inserted his own brand of humor in interactions with Sager while offering unconditional support for his perseverance, Sager has become a fixture of NBA sidelines through his curious choices of attire. Never afraid to try out a new look or stand out in a crowd, Sager's outfits have seemingly touched every color on the spectrum over the years, and in turn have become his calling card.
While he has been openly battling leukemia since April 2014, and continuing to work while undergoing multiple courses of treatment, Sager's recent announcement on HBO's Real Sports unveiled the increased severity of his condition. And in turn, his peers in the industry have responded in Sager-like fashion. Literally.
Organized by Mike Trudell of the Los Angeles Lakers, sideline reporters from around the league have donned their most flashy and peculiar attire in honor of Sager's continued resiliency in the face of adversity.
Fox Sports Indiana's Jeremiah Johnson, the sideline reporter for the Indiana Pacers, was thrilled to offer his support for Sager at the Pacers' most recent home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, outfitted with a bright pink blazer for the broadcast.
"Much like players look up to those who paved the way for them," said Johnson, "I have a similar respect and admiration for Craig Sager. He has managed to bring a unique level of entertainment to his work while always maintaining his professionalism. While a unique and colorful wardrobe might be his signature, it is not Craig's best quality. His passion for the game and the profession is clear and he has a special a way of connecting with the interview subjects and the audience."
"It is amazing that Craig has continued to persevere and work in such a public profession while trying to overcome this deadly disease," added Johnson. "During the five-plus hours at Bankers Life Fieldhouse tonight, I had numerous people look at me and wonder, 'what are you wearing?' I enjoyed explaining to each one that we were paying tribute to Craig Sager. Hopefully there are many more Sager-games in the future."
The adoration for and encouragement of Sager's refusal to succumb to the dismal outlook of the illness has not been limited to his fellow sideline reporters, however, as coaches and players from around the NBA have utilized his televised interviews to offer their own appreciation for the courageous technicolored reporter.
When Sager asked the reigning Most Valuable Player, the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, if he could use some rest at this late stage of the season, Curry alluded to Sager's battle.
"Seeing you and doing what you're doing, we got no excuses," said Curry. "You're an inspiration for us to just keep doing what we're doing, keep fighting, and that's the mentality that we have, and it's kind of contagious."
Earlier in that same broadcast, Sager inquired to Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman about his team's performance against the Warriors following the first quarter, and Wittman didn't hesitate to point out the lack of the game's importance in comparison to Sager's condition.
"Having you back, it's been 32 years since I've known you," said Wittman. "And there's a lot of people out there that are praying for you, and you got to just keep fighting, because I love that you're back here."
While he has undoubtedly encouraged countless people with his tenacity and endurance, hopefully this abundance of adoration will provide Sager with some added fuel for his own fight.