Dick Vitale Shares Positive Health Update After Doctor Visit

ESPN commentator says latest bloodwork results were "terrific" as he prepares to call Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee game.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Dick Vitale, the legendary ESPN college basketball analyst, shared encouraging news about his health on social media. Vitale revealed that his latest medical checkup brought positive results following his cancer treatments, with his doctor telling him the bloodwork results were "terrific." Vitale said he can now "relax" and head to the Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee game, which he will call on ESPN.

Why it matters

Vitale's health battles over the past few years have been well-documented, as he has stepped away from broadcasting multiple times to undergo treatment. Each of his returns to the microphone has carried emotional weight, with Vitale acknowledging the importance of being back in the arena and around the sport he loves. This latest positive update offers hope and optimism for Vitale's continued recovery.

The details

In his social media post, Vitale said he "learned from Dr. Brown that the bloodwork I did has come back & report was that the lab said they were terrific." He added that he can now "relax & head to Vanderbilt vs Tennessee game Sat on ESPN 2PM EST." Vitale has been open about his battles with cancer, crediting the sport of basketball and its community for helping him endure treatment and remain positive.

  • Vitale shared the positive health update on February 20, 2026.
  • Vitale will be calling the Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee game on ESPN on February 22, 2026 at 2 PM EST.

The players

Dick Vitale

A legendary ESPN college basketball analyst who has been with the network since 1979. Vitale has been open about his battles with cancer in recent years, crediting the sport and its community for helping him endure treatment and remain positive.

Dr. Brown

Vitale's doctor who provided him with the positive news about his latest bloodwork results.

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What they’re saying

“Just learned from Dr Brown that the bloodwork I did has come back & report was that the lab said they were terrific .Now I can relax & head to @VandyMBB vs @Vol_Hoops game Sat on @espn 2PM EST -Will be intense @SEC battle! Join Dave O'Brien – Corey Alexander & me !”

— Dick Vitale (X (formerly Twitter)

“Very emotional day for me, three years battling that vicious cancer. To come back and get the greeting that I did from the beautiful fans that were there, Clemson fans treated me like royalty. I want to say thank you for that because being here, I've said this so often. It's the greatest medicine in the world.”

— Dick Vitale (ESPN)

What’s next

Vitale will be calling the Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee game on ESPN on February 22, 2026 at 2 PM EST.

The takeaway

Dick Vitale's latest positive health update offers hope and optimism for his continued recovery, as the legendary ESPN analyst credits the sport of basketball and its community for helping him endure his cancer treatments. Vitale's passion for the game has never wavered, and his return to the broadcast booth is a testament to his perseverance and the power of the sport he loves.