Stuart Scott: Class and Swagger Personified -- RIP

Stuart Scott, the ESPN anchor and reporter whose catchphrases became part of the American popular sports vernacular for the past two decades, died Sunday morning after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 49

Scott is survived by his two daughters, Taelor, 19,and Sydni, 15, the latter of whom joined him onstage at the end of his ESPYs speech after he asked her to "come up here and give dad a hug because I need one. source

Ask any stand-up comic, comedy is divided into two distinct eras of BR and AR: before Richard Pryor and after Richard Pryor. Pryor is credited with transforming the landscape of comedy.

Same applies to Stuart Scott at ESPN.

We have the before Stuart Scott model and the "afta" (his word) Scott template. You see, Scott didn't just hold the mic and state the facts. Not at all. Like Richard, Stuart changed the rules, boundaries (thank you Robin Roberts) and the sports lexicon.

Scott made sportscasting look cool, unpredictable and exciting. Yes, Booyah, Cool like the other side of the pillow. And we knew he was butter because he was on a roll. 

In this regard, Scott reminded one of a young Magic Johnson leading the high octane Showtime LA Lakers offense: street flair combined with fundamentally sound basketball technique. Scott, a very dapper, articulate and seasoned professional, reported sports news with the colorful phraseology of hip hop.

And, again, just like Magic, Scott (with his universal appeal) united folks with divergent backgrounds to come together and enjoy the show.

In addition to giving us a great show -- without upstaging the actual sport event --Scott opened the door for many other outside the cookie cutter mold black ESPN reporters.

He will be missed. Our condolences to his family, friends and supporters.