Stuart Scott’s Girlfriend Kristin Spodobalski

UPDATE 01/04/2015: After battling cancer for seven years, ESPN anchor Stuart Scott passed away at the age of 49.

In the days and weeks you’ll hear plenty of dedications and memorials, many focused those who survived him, including Stuart Scott’s girlfriend, Kristin Spodobalski, his daughters, Taylor and Sydni and his ex-wife. By accounts of everyone who loved the man, he was focused on family first, sports second.

The eternally positive upbeat Scott, set an example for not only how to live, but for how to fight until the end with the utmost of courage, dignity and honor.

As much as we hate the trite use of “thoughts and prayers,” this time it works. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved Stuart Scott.

During Scott’s five minute speech, he goes out of his way to thank his girlfriend, Kristin Spodobalski. As so many people affected in some way by cancer have seen, those brave and dedicated family members are the will of the patient. They drive the fight against the disease. As Scott so vividly paints, the sight of Kristin sleeping on a miserable cot next to his bed reminded him what he was fighting for. He thought of the fear that so many parents have, seeing his daughters and “the best thing [he’s] ever done Taylor and Sydni,” grow up without a father. Stuart Scott is blessed with a professional drive that few can rival, yet his professional success seems to have little motivation in comparison to taking care of his family and girlfriend.

Stuart Scott was previously married to Kimberley Scott, the mother to his two daughters, though the marriage ended in 2010. Shortly after their marriage ended, Scott was linked to Sandi Williams, though that appears to have ended later that year. Scott and Spoodobalski have been dating since 2013, shortly after she obtained a Master’s degree from St. Joseph’s University.

Part of what makes Stuart Scott having cancer so poignant is that a very large population of the United States feels a kind of connection to him through familiarity. We have all become familiar with not only him but his style. When it comes to sports, Stuart will talks forever. Players like him, and they’re not pretending or being nice because they think they have to be. I have seen countless interviews and segments where he’s interacting with a player and goofing around, and they pick up on that; it puts them at ease.

We wish Stuart Scott all the best in his continued fight against cancer. If his determination and drive are any indication, we fully expect to be reading about his second victory over the disease in the months to come.