I was a finalist in the ESPN show “Dream Job” nine years ago. There were 24 of us out of thousands who had made it through 11 rounds of auditions in both Washington and New York. I had zoomed through each audition. Maybe a little overconfident, I decided to throw every goofy catch phrase I could think of into my SportsCenter segment that would be the final audition. But I went overboard. When the ultimate finalists’ names were announced, my name was not included. I stood off to the side on that big sound stage in Manhattan, head down, trying to keep my composure. I needed to congratulate those who had made it.
Stuart Scott walked over to me, almost yelling–“Content man! It’s not about you. You are already funny–talk about the SPORTS!” Then he put his arm around me and said, “Don’t get discouraged! Keep at it. You’ve got something! Believe! Keep at it!” Stuart’s words breathed life into my soul and lifted my spirit. I carry his words with me every day. That was my one interaction with a very special guy–a trailblazer who touched millions of people during his courageous battle. RIP Stuart Scott–ESPN will never be the same.
—Anthony DeMarco is Vice-President of the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team.
