Dick Vitale is heading back under the knife fairly soon.
Vitale announced that he’s received some “bad news” about his health.
The legendary college basketball announcer stated this week he will require two surgeries to repair his vocal cords this summer, with the first scheduled for July 11.
“Rec’d some bad news, but when I realize it is minor to what some face daily I will fight to recover. Dr Zeitels acclaimed vocal cord surgeon has informed me my past issues on my vocal cords have returned.I must have 2 surgeries this summer-1st July 11 need ur [prayers],” Vitale wrote on Twitter.
“The biggest challenge is that I am currently on voice rest in preparation for surgery on July 11 & post surgery I must be on total voice rest for 6-8 weeks in recovery,” he continued. “That part is so frustrating as I feel trapped not being able to express myself. The positive news Dr. Z is optimistic to have me ready for my 45th yr on @espn.”
Vitale’s doctor says he’s “optimistic” that the 84-year-old will be able to return for his upcoming 45th year with ESPN.
The vocal cord issues for Vitale caused him to huge chunks of the 2021-2022 college basketball season. Vitale underwent surgery in February 2022 for dysplasia on his vocal cords but returned to the airwaves on a full-time basis this past college basketball season for ESPN.
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The 84-year-old Vitale also overcame melanoma and lymphoma diagnoses in 2021 prior to his dysplasia and is in remission for both of those prior illnesses.
Vitale has been synonymous with ESPN’s college basketball coverage for more than four decades and is known for his passionate, emphatic sayings.
College basketball is simply not the same without his voice.
