‘Miracle’ to be on ESPN

Dick Vitale was emotional while discussing his battle with cancer on Saturday night.

The legendary announcer was on the call for ESPN’s broadcast of Duke’s 73-62 win over Louisville in the ACC Tournament championship game and teared up while talking to fans.

“It’s like to me a miracle to sit here with you guys,” Vitale said. “I can’t tell you how much you’ve meant to me. It’s been unbelievable. A tough three years. Those four cancer battles. I don’t wish it on anybody. Cancer sucks.”

Vitale, 85, announced in December that he is cancer-free after four battles with the disease in just three years.

Saturday was the only ACC Tournament game Vitale called, as doctors advised him not to call more than one game a week after undergoing multiple vocal cord surgeries.

He had cancerous lymph nodes removed from his neck last summer and was treated for melanoma and lymphoma before that.

Last year, Vitale underwent radiation treatments for vocal cord cancer.

“It’s my last game this year and I’m praying, hopefully, I can be back next year, maybe even better,” Vitale said. “I hope and pray my doctor really helps me with my voice.”

Vitale also took a moment to thank his ESPN colleagues.

“I want to thank all the fans, all the people that have been so beautiful, all my people at ESPN tolerating and putting up with me in terms of my issues I’ve had,” Vitale said. “You’ve been great.”