Prior to Thursday’s nationally televised game against the Chicago Bulls, the Utah Jazz paid tribute to well-respected sideline reporter Craig Sager.
In the Utah Jazz’s first appearance on TNT since 2012, they decided to take time to pay tribute to one of basketball’s most well-known and revered sideline reporters of this generation, Craig Sager.
During shootaround that took place prior to Thursday’s nationally televised contest, the Utah Jazz decked themselves out in colorful SagerStrong t-shirts and posed for some photos as a way to honor the prolific Sager who has become a fan favorite over the years and is currently dealing with a long battle against acute myeloid leukemia.
And the ultra-colorful shirts fit Sager, who’s know for sporting some of the craziest colored apparel you’ve ever seen, to a tea.
#TakeNote The Utah Jazz are #SagerStrong!! 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/KPxXrxSxmx
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 17, 2016
Bulls @ Jazz on TNT #Sagerstrong pic.twitter.com/ZpZIjkU9rQ
— Mike Wells (@CoachMWells) November 17, 2016
As you can see in the photos, the shirts were designed to represent Sager’s oft-worn multi-colored suit and tie combos along with the now iconic SagerStrong slogan on the lapel. With the Jazz plotting their return to relevancy and gaining some national attention by playing in this TNT match-up, it was a perfect move to not only tip their hat to Sager but also bring some positive publicity to the team and the organization.
Craig Sager’s optimistic and determined attitude have been well documented throughout his long battle with cancer. His story of refusing to give up is an inspirational one that has caught the attention of many NBA fans, players and even non-basketball fans across the country.
“I will continue to keep fighting, sucking the marrow out of life as life sucks the marrow out of me. I will live my life full of love and full of fun. It’s the only way I know how.” – Craig Sager
The slogan SagerStrong is highly appropriate for the way he has dealt with the obstacles that have faced him and it’s great to see the Jazz getting involved in the popular trend, particularly as they prepare to finally make their return to TNT, the channel for which Sager has been a long-term broadcaster.
Sadly, multiple doctors have informed Craig that the time that he has left may be short. Nevertheless, he has continued on in such a positive and courageous manner, that he’s easily won over the admiration of organizations across the league.
The Jazz certainly weren’t the first team to honor Sager, but it was great to see them get involved with such an uplifting tribute.
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While all of us Jazz fans are no doubt thrilled for tonight’s exciting match-up that finally has Utah back on the highly acclaimed TNT, the team’s SagerStrong tribute during shootaround served as an awesome reminder of the issues in life that are even bigger than basketball.
So from the Utah Jazz and all of us fans, keep fighting, Craig. And thanks for inspiring all of us to live each day SagerStrong.