ESPN anchor Stuart Scott dies after long battle with cancer

Long-time ESPN anchor and sports personality Stuart Scott died Sunday morning after a long battle with cancer, the network announced. He was 49.

Scott, who joined ESPN in 1993, gained popularity in his early years as one of the most colorful personalities on the network's signature show, SportsCenter. His work became synonymous with the network, covering and hosting major sporting events during his 21-year career.

Scott, whose fight against cancer was well publicized following his diagnosis in 2007, is survived by his two daughters, aged 19 and 15, and girlfriend. 

"ESPN and everyone in the sports world have lost a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure in Stuart Scott," ESPN president John Skipper said in a statement. "Who engages in mixed martial arts training in the midst of chemotherapy treatments? Who leaves a hospital procedure to return to the set? 

"His energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced."

Related: NFL teams, players pay tribute to the late Stuart Scott

Scott's emotional acceptance speech for the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2014 ESPYs in July provided a lasting image of the iconic sportscaster, and inspired survivors and victims of cancer around the world.

"When you die," Scott said during the speech, "it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."

Scott's passing prompted President Barack Obama to release this statement Sunday afternoon:

I will miss Stuart Scott. Twenty years ago, Stu helped usher in a new way to talk about our favorite teams and the day's best plays. For much of those twenty years, public service and campaigns have kept me from my family - but wherever I went, I could flip on the TV and Stu and his colleagues on SportsCenter were there. Over the years, he entertained us, and in the end, he inspired us - with courage and love. Michelle and I offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and colleagues.

The news triggered an outpouring of support from the sports world, and included emotional reaction from ESPN personalities such as Merril Hoge, Hannah Storm, and Keyshawn Johnson during the network's NFL playoff coverage. ESPN published an obit on its website and aired this video tribute honoring Scott's legacy:

Scott's on-air catch phrases such as "Boo-Yah!" and "As cool as the other side of the pillow" helped ingrain him with a generation of sports fans and athletes alike, many of which took to Twitter to express their condolences:

Scott's former SportsCenter co-anchor, NFL Network's Rich Eisen, delivered this emotional on-air send-off:

NBA legend Michael Jordan also released a statement on the passing of Scott:

I'm so sad to hear the news that Stuart has passed away. He was truly a trailblazer in his field, and by refusing to change his style, made himself into a star. I always enjoyed sitting down to talk to him. But to me, he wasn't just a broadcaster, he was an old friend, who I'd known since college. He fought so hard against cancer and I hoped he'd win the battle. I send my sincerest condolences to his daughters, Taelor and Syndi, and his family and friends. Boo-yah, my brother.

- Statement via ESPN's Darren Rovell