Stuart Scott
I’ve always liked Stuart Scott. I like his style. I like his swag, and I like the way he’s influenced the world of sportscasting. Like millions of others, I’ve never met him in person, yet he’s lived in my home for the past 20 years. There was a time when I tuned into SportsCenter just to hear him put his personal stamp on the highlights.
A few days ago @StuartScott recognized Lance Armstrong in a recent tweet:
His recent Tweet:
Day after chemo.. Lil fatigued..Lil queasy..fight thru it. Daughters still gotta be taken to soccer practice & dance rehearsal! #LIVESTRONG
It bothers me that he signed-off with the hashtag #LiveStrong.
I don’t have a personal vendetta against Lance. I don’t have a personal vendetta against Bernie Madoff either, yet they are two men who gained their fortune and created opportunities for themselves by doing things the wrong way and ruining the lives of others.
Lance is not someone who needs to be recognized for something he cheated for the opportunity to do.
Here’s what I mean…
Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer on Oct 2, 1996. What I do respect about Lance is that he fought, battled and overcame the deadly disease, which takes a winning mindset and incredible determination as well as mental toughness. Lance has that certain mindset that allowed him to stay strong during his fight… and fortunately, he won his battle.
What I don’t respect is Lance Armstrong’s behavior after he beat cancer. In a word, CHARACTER. The lying, the cheating and the arrogance. LANCE ARMSTRONG’S ENTIRE BRAND WAS BUILT ON A LIE. The fact is, if Lance didn’t win the Tour de France, he wouldn’t have had the “stage” and the influence to write the book. Lance who?
Cancer Patient Fighting the Fight
Many people right here in the U.S. overcome cancer every year. These heroes have fought the same fight, with the will and desire that Lance showed, yet no book publisher is knocking on their door. Those incredible survivors can only share their story with those who are going through the same thing on a much smaller scale.
Lance made millions of dollars on a lie, or should I say a long series of lies. He suckered the USADA (United States Anti Doping Agency) and he suckered us. When he lost his sponsors (his income), he called Oprah to attempt to salvage his brand. Unfortunately for Lance, people recognized who he really was on the 2-day fundraiser for Oprah. The interview was soft, yet he still couldn’t show any signs of a man who is in touch with the scope of his actions.
Stuart Scott said that Lance’s book helped him through his previous battle against cancer, and I’ve heard similar sentiment from others, and I respect that. Lance’s book helped Stuart and many others get through that tough time, and that will always be.
I was talking to a client of mine about this subject and fact that Stuart Scott’s hashtag shout-out to Lance bothered me. I wanted to talk through it. Maybe I was stuck on a meaningless issue. Here’s what he said to me, he said, “Dan, what if 10 years ago, you read a book written by Bernie Madoff, and the book helped you psychologically overcome some issues you were having with money. It helped you understand the psychology of wealth and gave you hope. Yet 10 years later Bernie is busted for scamming thousands of people for BILLIONS of dollars and ruining their lives. Would you stand by him and support him via twitter or other social media?”
Today Stuart Scott is publically battling cancer, and he is a role model. He IS the “brand of inspiration” for today. Millions of sports fans around the world know Stuart Scott and are pulling for him.
Stuart changed the “the game” in the world of sports reporting. As an ex-college basketball player and college basketball coach, I vividly remember Stuart’s first day on-air. He was a little rough, yet he quickly built his confidence and his personality soon began to show. He added a certain “flavor” to SportsCenter and in a short period of time, was the best in his craft.
So why am I bothered that Stuart Scott gave a hashtage shout-out to Lance?
Here’s why:
Stuart, you are the celebrity spokesperson. Not because you want to be, it’s because you are. You’ve been in our homes for 20 years and we trust you. We are pulling for you, we are praying for you and NOW you can reach others who need you, just like you needed lance back in 2007. You are the 2013 version of LiveStrong, yet a truthful version. An updated version with character and soul.
How about #STUARTSTRONG
How about #SCOTTSTRONG
How about #STUARTSCOTTSTRONG
Either way Stuart, I’m with you. I still dig your style, your flavor, yet most of all, your character… AND thousands of people need YOU right now.
I’m just sayin’
Dan Lier
#StuartStrong #ScottStrong #StuartScottStrong
