TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager has suffered a setback in his fight with cancer. In an interview with HBO’s Real Sports (airing on Tuesday at 10 PM EST and PST), the long-time reporter announced that his leukemia is no longer in remission.
Sager first encountered the battle with leukemia in April 2014, but had recently come back to work on the sidelines. The eccentrically dressed reporter returned to the TNT broadcast last March. He has unfortunately suffered setbacks since, but has been able to work during several games and marquee events such as the All-Star Game.
Sager’s situation seems to be fluid. There is no word on whether or not he will need to step away for a long period of time to continue getting treatment. Craig has flown back and forth to Houston to get treatment even as he has been on the job. He is currently slated to work three TNT games between now and the end of the season. However, the setback in his health has put that in jeopardy.
His doctor has also told him that he is expected to only have 3-6 months to live but Sager, always the fighter, vows to beat those odds.
Following from Sports Illustrated’s Ben Golliver.
In Real Sports profile, Craig Sager says he's "fighting to the end" after doctors gave him "3-6 months" diagnosis pic.twitter.com/J725uNfbF9
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) March 22, 2016
Sager, however, is trying to stay in high spirits as he is known to do:
“Still kicking, still fighting,” he said. “I haven’t won the battle. It’s not over yet. But I haven’t lost it, either. There have been some victories and some setbacks, but I still have to fight it. A lot of work to do.”
Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with Craig as he continues to fight leukemia. We know that he will stay strong and battle and it’s only a matter of time before he will be back to being the best sideline reporter in the business.
