Dealing with cancer can be one of the scariest battles anyone would ever have to endure. Famed sports broadcaster Dick Vitale, known for commentating on college basketball, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2018 and has since taken a break from broadcasting. On top of his lymphoma, Vitale is also dealing with melanoma and issues with his vocal cords.

Many players, coaches, and fans send Vitale their thought and prayers during that difficult time. However, one coach went the extra mile. Tennessee Volunteers basketball coach Rick Barnes sends prayer and Bible verses to Vitale every day. Recently, Vitale shared one of Barnes’ daily prayers in a tweet, saying that he was grateful that Barnes took the time to encourage him.

Vitale also noted that Barnes still sent a prayer after his team lost a game to the Texas Longhorns, a true sign of devotion to Vitale. In his tweet, Vitale called Barnes special. The prayer included a request for God to give Vitale strength and to help him face his cancer battle. It also referenced numerous Bible verses, including Matthew 19:26 and Psalm 91:1.

In his prayer, Barnes said, “Lord, we know that Dick has been through a lot,” Barnes’ prayer read, in part. “Praying Father for you to give him rest for his mind, body, and spirit from the fatigue he is facing.” Vitale said in a previous tweet that the texts from Barnes bring him to tears.

As for why he takes the time to send the daily messages, Barnes touched on Vitale’s work for cancer before he was diagnosed and his passion for basketball. He said, “His involvement and what he’s done for cancer is remarkable. He’s impacted so many lives. I think God is using him in a great way. From the time I started texting him a prayer every day, I said it has been good for me because it has given me a chance to spend even more alone time with the Lord.”

When dealing with cancer, it’s nice to know that you have people on your side praying for your health and strength. Barnes taking the time out of his day to encourage Vitale says a lot about the kind of person he is and his character. One of the verses Barnes sent Vitale, Matthew 19:26, says, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” This verse was likely meant to remind Vitale that he can recover from his illness as long as he believes that God will heal him.

Psalm 91:1 tells us, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” This verse reminds Vitale that he is covered as long as he lives in the shelter of the Most High. Hopefully, Vitale will be healed from his cancer soon. Until then, he can count on people like Rick Barnes encouraging him along the way. We should all hope to have someone like Rick Barnes in our lives.

During Texas game vs Vols I shared that ⁦@RickBarnesUT⁩ sends me a DAILY PRAYER to lift my spirits in my battles vs Melanoma,Lymphoma, & my vocal cord problem.I was shocked when he started doing this .This AM after a tough L at Texas he sends me this ??? Rick is special! pic.twitter.com/CSW38zRQiB

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 30, 2022