Dick Vitale to miss remainder of season, Kentucky offers encouragement
Legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale will miss the remainder of the 2021-22 college basketball season as he undergoes surgery to solve his Dysplasia and ulcerated lesions of the vocal cords.
Previously undergoing treatment for lymphoma and melanoma, Vitale was cleared in November to call games the remainder of the season, his 43rd overall at ESPN. Today, though, the 82-year-old announced he would be unable to finish out the year as a result of his most recent Dysplasia diagnosis.
“I had my scheduled follow-up visit today with Dr. Steven Zeitels, a leading throat specialist, who had diagnosed me with Dysplasia on the vocal cords a few weeks ago and ordered me to rest my ailing voice,” Vitale announced in an official release. “Well, today, Dr. Z. delivered the news that even though the rest really helped, I need to give my voice an even longer “T.O., Baby!” And there is no doubt I will soon need surgery to solve my Dysplasia and ulcerated lesions of the vocal cords.
“So, while I’m heartbroken that I won’t appear on ESPN for the rest of this season, I’m encouraged by the progress. In fact, it appears that by resting my voice for the past three weeks, I’ve reduced the inflammation by 60 percent. Let’s hope the added rest will help it heal some more, and things will look even better when I go for my next follow-up visit on Feb. 16. Once the inflammation heals, we will set a date for surgery.”
From there, though, Vitale expects to return to the broadcast booth the entirety of the 2022-23 college basketball season.
“My throat’s condition is clearly moving in the right direction, and Dr. Z. is very optimistic that this can be successfully treated to have me strong for the 2022-23 season on ESPN,” he wrote.
Following the update, the Kentucky men’s basketball team sent Vitale some words of encouragement, sharing a video with the broadcast legend.
“Dickie V, the guys have something they want to say to you,” Calipari said in the clip shared by Vitale.
“Get well, Dickie V!”
Come for the words of encouragement, stay for Kellan Grady’s impersonation.
“Oh, it’s a diaper dandy, baby!”
Get well soon, Dickie V.
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