ESPN’s anchor Stuart Scott offers strength to many on air. It’s not only for his smooth delivery or a career that’s spanned over two decades-it’s fighting a deadly form of cancer since 2007.

This week Scott, 48, was presented the 2014 Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs by actor Kiefer Sutherland. Scott said he didn’t belong in the category of great people like college basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died in 1993 of adenocarcinoma at 47. But remembered vividly a speech the coach gave.

“I listened to what Jim Valvano said 21 years ago,” said Scott, who invited his 14-year-old daughter with him on stage in an emotional moment.

“The most poignant seven words ever uttered in any speech anywhere: ‘Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.’ Those great people didn’t. Coach Valvano didn’t. So to be honored with this, I now have a responsibility to also not ever give up. I’m not special. I just listened to what the man said.”

Scott had tweeted to fans after rounds of chemo he was hitting the gym and returning to the show.

“Really appreciate all the prayers & well wishes. Nothing changes…I’m rockin’ the 11pm SPORTSCENTER tonight ..so…We ride strong!!,” the father of two daughters tweeted in 2013.

That’s perseverance.