Craig Sager

Craig Sager – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Explore the remarkable life of Craig Sager (1951–2016), the American sports reporter celebrated for his colorful wardrobe, courageous spirit, and inspiring words. Discover his biography, career milestones, personality, legacy, and favorite quotes.

Introduction

Craig Sager was more than a sideline reporter—he was a symbol of passion, resilience, and individuality in sports journalism. Known for his flamboyant suits and unflappable demeanor, he covered basketball, MLB, the Olympics, and more. Even as he battled leukemia, he remained vocal, optimistic, and steadfast. His life is a powerful story of doing your job with joy, fighting adversity with grace, and leaving a legacy that inspires.

Early Life and Education

Craig Graham Sager was born June 29, 1951 in Batavia, Illinois.
As a teenager, he displayed early signs of his character: in 1966, he penned an essay for a patriotism contest titled “How and Why I Should Show Respect to the American Flag”, which was published in the U.S. Congressional Record.

He attended Batavia High School, where he formed friendships with future sports figures like Ken Anderson and Dan Issel.
He went on to Northwestern University, graduating in 1973 with a degree in speech.
Interestingly, while in college, he performed as Willie the Wildcat, the school mascot, a hint of his theatrical flair and public presence to come.

Career and Milestones

Craig Sager’s career in journalism spanned decades and many platforms:

Early Years & Broadcast Beginnings

• After college, Sager began in local markets. He worked at WXLT in Sarasota, Florida, and as a radio news director earning $95 per week in 1974.

• He had stints in TV reporting and broadcasting in Florida, Kansas City, and other markets, covering local sports and news.

Move to Major Networks

• In 1981, Sager joined CNN, becoming a full-time reporter.

• He later moved to Turner’s networks (TBS, TNT), where he became most famous.

• He covered a wide variety of sports: the NBA (as sideline reporter), MLB, the Olympics, football, golf, tennis, and more.

The NBA & Sideline Fame

• Sager is best known for his work in NBA broadcasting as a sideline reporter, bringing color, personality, and warmth to the game coverage.

• His wardrobe became legendary: he rarely repeated a suit, and his collection of loud, colorful sport coats became a signature.

• His style sometimes helped disarm interviewees—especially coaches known for terse responses such as Gregg Popovich.

Awards & Recognition

• In 2016, Craig Sager was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

• During the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, he was honored with the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Naismith Hall of Fame (posthumously).

• He also received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2016 ESPYs, recognizing his determination in battling cancer.

Illness, Courage & Final Years

In April 2014, Sager was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
His son, Craig II, served as a bone marrow donor, and Sager underwent transplant treatment and periods of remission.

He faced multiple returns of the disease, was given prognoses of only months in some intervals, but continued working where he could and speaking openly about hope, gratitude, and perseverance.

On December 15, 2016, Craig Sager passed away at age 65 in Atlanta, Georgia.
His death took place just two days after his induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Personality, Style & Legacy

Craig Sager was lauded not just for his journalism but for who he was:

• He was warm, curious, and genuine—people felt he cared, which helped him connect even with reserved personalities.

• His flamboyant fashion was an extension of his joy and identity; he saw life in color and believed it should show.

• During his illness, he remained open about his journey—his struggles, fears, hope—and used his platform to inspire others.

• The movement #SagerStrong became a rallying cry, reflecting admiration from fans, athletes, and colleagues.

• His memoir, Living Out Loud: Sports, Cancer, and the Things Worth Fighting For, was published days before he died.

• Today, a replica of the suit he wore when accepting the Jimmy V award is given as the Sager Strong Award to individuals who exemplify courage, compassion, and grace.

Famous Quotes by Craig Sager

Here are some of his most striking and inspiring words:

“I will never give up, and I will never give in.”
“Time is simply how you live your life.”
“I always see the glass half full. I see the beauty in others, and I see the hope for tomorrow.”
“Life should be fun, and so should your clothes. It’s not about sending a message. It’s about feeling good about yourself and being who you are.”
“If you’re running around with a negative attitude all the time, you’re going to feel down; … But if … you have positive thoughts … you have a much better chance to survive …”
“I’m fighting not only for myself and for my family, but I feel I am fighting for everybody who has cancer.”
“Sports are supposed to be fun, and so I have fun with the way I dress.”

Lessons from Craig Sager’s Life

1. Be unabashedly you
   Sager’s choice to wear bold, colorful clothes was not attention-seeking—it was a declaration of self. Let your authenticity show.

2. Joy and craft can coexist
   He did his job with expertise and liveliness—reporting seriously, but never at the cost of joy or personality.

3. Speak openly about struggle
   By sharing his illness journey publicly, he transformed vulnerability into strength, helping others feel less alone.

4. Resilience is a daily choice
   Faced with medical prognoses, he chose fight and presence over resignation—and continued to live meaningfully.

5. Legacy is lived, not earned
   His memory lives in the people he touched—viewers, athletes, colleagues—and in the awards and foundations that continue his values.

Conclusion

Craig Sager was a vivid personality in the world of sports journalism—someone who illuminated games not just with information, but with color, humanity, and courage. Even in his final years, he modeled how to live fully despite adversity. His story invites us to ask: How will we show up, dress up, speak up, and face life’s hardest battles?