Fansided

Craig Sager will return to TNT broadcasts on March 4th

By Brandon C. Williams

May 22, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) listens to a question from TNT broadcaster Craig Sager after game one of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) listens to a question from TNT broadcaster Craig Sager after game one of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The March 4 matchup between the Bulls and Thunder will mark the return of TNT Sports sideline reporter Craig Sager after he took time off to receive treatment for leukemia.

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The following seven words is the best sports news this Wednesday:

Craig Sager is coming back to TNT.

The wildly popular sports sideline reporter will make his return during the March 4 showdown between the Bulls and Thunder, marking the first time Sager has worked since being diagnosed for acute myeloid leukemia, which kept him away from covering the 2014 NBA playoffs.

Sager’s son made the announcement on Twitter:

[https://twitter.com/CraigSagerJr/status/570708327459639296]

Even better news is the fact that Sager will also return to Turner Sports’ coverage of March Madness later in March.

Long known for a clothing style that is….well…unique, Sager has been a member of CNN/Turner since 1981 and will begin his 18th season as a sideline reporter for TNT’s Thursday night basketball coverage. He received emotionally-charged support from not only his NBA on TNT partners, but from the NBA itself after it was discovered he was diagnosed with the illness shortly before last season’s playoff run.

Members the TNT studio show wore suits similar to Sager during the April 20 dedication, along with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich offering a get-well message during a sideline interview with Sager’s son.

While Sager has been known for his work on TNT, he is also known for his interview with Hank Aaron after the Braves Hall of Famer hit his historic 715th home run on April 8, 1974. Sager greeted Aaron at third base and conducted the interview as Aaron touched home plate.

Just look for the man in the long jacket in the following video:

That was just one of Sager’s more memorable moments in a broadcasting career that is in the midst of its fifth decade. He has served as a reporter during the eight seasons (1990-97) TNT broadcast Thursday and Sunday night NFL games along with coverage of the 1990 World Cup and the Pan American and Goodwill Games.

For all the bad news out in the world, the news of Sager’s return is indeed a bright spot. That Sager has overcome leukemia also serves as inspiration for those who are inflicted by the illness, let alone being a shining light for defying the odds. Regardless as to who wins next Wednesday, the final score will take a back seat to the return of one of the most beloved figures in sportscasting.

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