The life of beloved NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager will be celebrated Tuesday during a public memorial service in Marietta.
Sager passed away last Thursday following a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 65-years-old.
A public memorial will take place at 11 a.m. at Mount Bethel United Methodist Church. Sager, known as much for his charismatic interviews as for his outrageous wardrobe, requested that everyone wear colorful attire to the celebration.
"Time is simply how you live your life" 🙏We packed a lifetime and then some into these 28 years together. Pay it forward time! #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/aEiDb2n0Ki-- Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) December 15, 2016"Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us," Turner President David Levy said in a statement. "There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports."
pic.twitter.com/PybrwHSNDh-- TurnerSportsPR (@TurnerSportsPR) December 15, 2016Sager, who worked basketball games for TNT for nearly a quarter-century, revealed in March 2016 that his leukemia was no longer in remission. He said doctors told him the typical prognosis was three to six months to live.
Sager first announced in April 2014 that he had been diagnosed with leukemia, and he missed the playoffs and much of the following season as he underwent two bone marrow transplants.
His battle with cancer brought out the soft side of Gregg Popovich, the prickly San Antonio Spurs coach with whom he had many memorable exchanges during in-game interviews.
Sager sported suits in every color of the rainbow and plenty of shades not found in nature, from teal to fuchsia to magenta. He would match plaid blazers with paisley ties or striped shirts -- all in bold hues.
Kevin Garnett once told him to burn an entire outfit. In a 2016 interview with HBO's "Real Sports," Sager recalled how Popovich reproached him for trying to stand out. Sager explained to him: "Coach, you don't understand. If I'm not wearing bright colors and if I don't feel lively, it's not me."
Sometimes lost in the glare of his wardrobe was Sager's relentless nature as a reporter. Every time Popovich would give a terse non-answer, an unfazed Sager would pepper him with another question.
During the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend, Popovich described Sager as "an iconic figure in the NBA."
"He does a great job," the coach added. "His sense of humor is obvious. We have a lot of fun going back and forth with that."
RIP, friend.#SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/WAIgXZdUxQ-- Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 15, 2016Sager's persistence was on display at the start of his career, when the 22-year-old found himself in the middle of one of the most famous moments in sports history. Making $95 a week in 1974 as the news director at WSPB -- a Braves-affiliated AM radio station in Sarasota, Florida -- Sager risked getting fired by deciding to hop a flight to Atlanta for a game with Hank Aaron a home run away from breaking Babe Ruth's career record.
With a last-minute credential, Sager was stuck in the third-base photographers' well. As the historic homer sailed out of the park, Sager, without thinking, sprinted onto the field and wound up chasing Aaron down the third-base line. When Aaron's teammates mobbed him at home plate, Sager can be seen in his trench coat in the middle of the scrum.
The next day, Sager caught a 5 a.m. flight to Sarasota to be back in time for his morning drive responsibilities, and his tapes from the game wound up in Cooperstown.
During his career, Sager would work as a reporter on the Olympics, Major League Baseball playoffs, NFL and NCAA Tournament, among other sports. But he was indelibly connected to the NBA.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Craig Sager pic.twitter.com/vvayZfy7Re-- NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2016"Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "A true original and an essential voice on Turner Sports' NBA coverage for 26 seasons, Craig chronicled some of the most memorable moments in league history and was a ubiquitous presence with his splashy suits and equally colorful personality. Craig earned widespread respect for his insightful reporting and inspired so many most recently with his courage."
His popularity around the sport was evident as he went through his cancer treatments.
Long-time NBA broadcaster Craig Sager has died. He was 65 years old. pic.twitter.com/rB3Lgm3ap4-- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 15, 2016Sager got to cover his first NBA Finals in 2016 through an unusual arrangement between TNT and ESPN, which invited him to join its coverage. He marked the occasion by wearing a blazer with a royal blue floral print. In an interview with LeBron James after Game 6, the Cavaliers star turned the tables to giddily ask Sager a question: "How in the hell do you go 30-plus years without getting a Finals game?"
I hope they have more wacky jackets than you could ever possibly wear up there. Thank you for the memories my friend. pic.twitter.com/M82dpCnLdv-- Sir CC (@CavsSirCC) December 15, 2016Bulls star Dwyane Wade also sold paisley ties during the 2016 playoffs to raise money to combat blood cancers.
Earlier that season, Sager called the support he received from Silver, coaches, players and fans "humbling."
"It's been very uplifting, very therapeutic," he said.
And Sager loved everything about his job.
"I try to get there three hours before the game, talk with the ushers and the security guards, the coaches and the fans," Sager said in 2015.
We are forever #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/t9C3x6znkb-- NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 15, 2016A native of Batavia, Illinois, Sager attended Northwestern, where walked onto the football and basketball teams and served as the school's "Willie the Wildcat" mascot for three years.
Our #B1GCats family will forever be #SagerStrong. pic.twitter.com/fHzHkdcSan-- NU Men's Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 15, 2016He worked at several TV and radio stations in Florida after college before spending two years in Kansas City. Sager joined CNN in 1981 after handling the network's first live remote report during the 1980 baseball playoffs.
The entire Mavs organization sends their sympathies to the Sager family. Rest in peace, Craig. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/KVzfFO0VO3-- Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 15, 2016Sager was in Dallas for a game in April 2014 when he felt ill and sought treatment from Mavericks team physician Dr. Tarek O. Souryal, who had previously performed Sager's knee surgery. With a dangerously low hemoglobin count, Sager had six blood transfusions over a 24-hour period before returning to Atlanta.
Reaction of Sager's death flooded in on social media Thursday afternoon:
RIP Craig Sager. Very sad day. Craig had class, integrity & of course, 'flair'. He knew basketball as well as anyone.Craig will be missed...-- Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) December 15, 2016 We mourn alongside @NorthwesternU and the rest of the sports world with the passing of legendary broadcaster Craig Sager. pic.twitter.com/OF17tNi5H4-- Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 15, 2016 RIP Craig!-- Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) December 15, 2016 Much respect for Craig Sager the broadcaster, even more for the person who showed grace, fight & courage in his public battle w/ cancer #RIP-- Mark Followill (@MFollowill) December 15, 2016 Heaven just got a new Sideline Reporter. #RIP Craig Sager. pic.twitter.com/EZIIQsXeTJ-- Moondog (@CavsMoondog) December 15, 2016 Rest In Peace Craig Sager... Thank you for all your kind words and for showing the true meaning of the word strength.-- Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) December 15, 2016 A friend. An icon. An inspiration. You will be missed, Craig. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/CGr70zZEWo-- Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 15, 2016 R.I.P Dear Friend #SagerStrong"Time is something that is not in endless supply. Time is simply how you live your life." - Craig Sager pic.twitter.com/ZPzcUWTtr2-- Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 15, 2016 Mr. Sager was one of the most genuine, positive, and kind people I've had the chance to spend time with. He'll be truly missed.-- Sam Dekker (@dekker) December 15, 2016 We are forever #SagerStrong
"Time is simply how you live your life." pic.twitter.com/u3CBDuuyt9-- Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 15, 2016 The good ones go to soon 😢rip Craig Sager #SagerStrong-- C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) December 15, 2016 Rest In Peace Craig Sager-- Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka_7) December 15, 2016 A true fighter. RIP Craig. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/2l3BUzbuEj-- Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) December 15, 2016 RIP Craig Sager. Your impact on the NBA Family was amazing!!-- Robert Covington (@Holla_At_Rob33) December 15, 2016 Man RIP Craig Sager so sad to hear that prayers to the family-- Richaun Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) December 15, 2016 The Brooklyn Nets mourn the loss of Craig Sager, a singular icon in our sport, and send our deepest condolences to the Sager family. pic.twitter.com/BgPQzcYUJv-- Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 15, 2016 God bless you and your family! It was an honor to know and work along side your dad during so many games! He will never be forgotten! https://t.co/rviOMjTFSv-- Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) December 15, 2016 #craigsager🙏🏼 #rip https://t.co/ktHmhZiCEj-- Rudy Gay (@RudyGay8) December 15, 2016 Rest in Paradise Craig Sager!!! Thoughts and prayers with his family!!!-- Garrett Temple (@GTemp14) December 15, 2016 The best to ever do it in our game!!! Rest in Paradise #craigsager https://t.co/0pWEJTncWv-- Garrett Temple (@GTemp14) December 15, 2016 Thank you. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/VtdXy2iPbJ-- Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 15, 2016 The NBA family lost an incredible member of our family today. Rest in peace, Craig Sager. You will be missed. #SagerStrong-- Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 15, 2016 Rest in pace Craig Sager #Strongman-- Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) December 15, 2016 RIP to the GREAT Craig Sager! You'll be missed! #GameChanger-- Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) December 15, 2016 Rest In Peace Craig Sager🙏🏾-- Aaron Harrison (@AaronICE2) December 15, 2016 We all grew up fans of the NBA, which means you are forever apart of our dreams & family! Rest well... #CraigSager pic.twitter.com/eyTkfK8v9U-- Earl J Watson (@Earl_Watson) December 15, 2016 Rest In Peace Craig Sager! Prayers up-- TJ Warren (@TonyWarrenJr) December 15, 2016 Thoughts & prayers go out to Sager family 🙏 #RIPCraigSager #GoneTooSoon-- Leandro Barbosa (@TheBlurBarbosa) December 15, 2016 Fly with the angels Craig Sager!
True professional and a class man!
We'll all miss you buddy.
Heroes get remembered. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/v51p6qVSV8-- Leandro Barbosa (@TheBlurBarbosa) December 15, 2016 Rest In Peace to one of the greatest to ever do it! Craig Sager, you will always be remembered. 🙏🏾 #SagerStrong-- BigSauce (@alantwilliams) December 15, 2016
from News | WAGA http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/223890404-story
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