Robin Roberts sheds tears of admiration and profound gratitude for Stuart Scott

Grief-stricken former colleagues of Stuart Scott spent Sunday remembering the popular ESPN anchor, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 49. Good Morning America host Robin Roberts had a special connection to Scott not only did she work with him at the sports network, but she has fought her own battles with cancer.

Roberts put together some thoughts in a poignant Facebook post, in which she recalled Scotts moving speech at last Julys ESPY award show. She posted this photo of herself interviewing Scott that evening:

Here is what Roberts wrote:

As we were about to board our long flight home Amber checked her phone one last time. She pulled us out of the line and all she had to say to me wasStu. The news we were dreading and not at all prepared to hear. Stuart Scott has died.

This picture was taken shortly after Stu was presented the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at last years ESPYS. He gave a speech that still had me in tears as we chatted backstage. Tears of admiration and profound gratitude. Grateful that this beautiful, strong man was a dear friend. Grateful that he had the strength that night to deliver such a powerful, meaningful message. Admiration for how he valiantly faced cancer..again and again.

As I stared out the window on the flight home tears again streamed down my face. By the time we landed so many had posted wonderful tributes to Stu. President Obama, LeBron James, Tiger Woodsand our ESPN family. Im still struggling to find the words to express my feelings. But then I think of Stus own words at the ESPYS. He was right. You beat cancer by how you LIVE, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.

He closed his speech, with his sweet daughter Sydni by his side on stage, by saying have a great night and a great rest of your life. That was Stu, always thinking of others.

Bless you, my friend, for showing us how to live and how to love. Tonight after I say my prayers and thank the good Lord for Stuart ScottIm going to climb into bedand flip my pillow over to the other side. XO

Here is an ESPN tribute to Scott, narrated by Roberts, that ran on Sunday:

This former editor and part-time writer at The Post is now happy to prove that if you combine 'blowhard' and 'blaggard,' you get 'blogger.' He previously had used 'Desmond Bieler' as his byline, but feels that shortening the first name to 'Des' nicely conveys his ever-decreasing gravitas. He also covers Fantasy Football.

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Robin Roberts sheds tears of admiration and profound gratitude for Stuart Scott