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Stuart Scott's Daughters' Touching Tribute — VIDEO

by Lauren Holter

One year after ESPN sportscaster and anchor Stuart Scott's death, his daughters made an emotional video in remembrance of their father and the good times they spent together. Taelor, 20, and Sydni, 16, created the video in collaboration with Dear World, an art project that encourages people to share one meaningful message with their loved ones and strangers. Scott died Jan. 4, 2015, at the age of 49 after a long battle with cancer, and his daughters continue to spread his message that you beat cancer by how you live your life.

Working for ESPN for 21 years, Scott coined multiple catchphrases, including "Boo-yah" and "Like gravy on a biscuit, it's all good!" Scott first learned he had cancer in 2007 after an appendectomy revealed that his appendix was cancerous. After going into remission, the cancer returned in 2011 and again in 2013. Less than six months before his death, Scott was given the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2014 ESPYs, which honors college basketball coach and broadcaster Jim Valvano, who died of cancer in 1993.

As a show of respect, broadcaster Ernie Johnson gave his Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Host to Scott's daughters in May, saying, "It all started with Stuart." Handing the award to Taelor and Sydni on stage, he told them, "This is your Emmy."

In the video, Taelor remembers how her father taught her to load film into a camera, and Sydni talks about how he was at every soccer game, full of excitement. "My dad was always the sports guy — that much was clear," Sydni said.

When someone dies of cancer, others often say "they lost their battle to cancer" to express how they passed, but Scott didn't agree with the phrase. "My father said, 'When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer,'" Sydni explained in the video. "You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live."

The sisters discussed the most difficult parts of coping with the loss of their father — for Taelor, it has been feeling lonely. "He was a father, but he was also a friend during that time, and I feel like I've lost a friend," Taelor said. Sydni explained in the Dear World video that the hardest moments for her were times she thought she saw him, or when there's something she desperately wants to tell him.

Taelor and Sydni's heartfelt film carries on Scott's legacy as a loved sports media icon and father.

Images: Dear World/YouTube (4)