Stuart Scott of ESPN speaks onstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The network’s latest “30 for 30” special, “Boo-Yah: A Stuart Scott Portrait,” paints an intimate portrait of the beloved late sportscaster.
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Years after his death, Stuart Scott continues to be one of the most beloved figures to grace ESPN. The network’s new 30 for 30 documentary, Boo-Yah: A Stuart Scott Portrait, premiering Wednesday, looks at what made the late sports anchor so special, from his unique phrases to his terrific sense of humor to his unabashed dedication to his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Stuart was one of the most influential Black sports anchors, too, and he’s credited with bringing what the documentary terms hip-hop culture to SportsCenter. Stuart was cool. Viewers could see that, and they felt a kinship with him immediately upon his arrival at ESPN in 1993.
Director Andre Gaines said he wanted Scott to speak for himself in the special, featuring many of his most memorable moments. It also includes interviews with a who’s who of sports, including friends and colleagues such as Charles Barkley, Chris Berman, George Bodenheimer, Vince Carter, Linda Cohn, Common, Kevin Frazier, Mike Greenberg, Jay Harris, Suzy Kolber, Shaquille O’Neal, Robin Roberts and of course Scott’s longtime co-anchor Rich Eisen.
Here are seven standout moments from Boo-Yah: A Stuart Scott Portrait.
1. Stuart Scott Explaining The Origins Of Boo-Yah
Early in the film, Gaines shares footage of Scott explaining that he didn’t actually make up “boo-yah”—“I just brought it to television.”
2. Stuart Scott Sharing The Sacrifices He Made For Success
Scott was arguably one of the most successful sports broadcasters of his generation, and he achieved it through hard work. In a voiceover that plays over some of his most iconic interviews as well as footage of his family, he notes that he sacrificed “being home for dinner” and other important family moments to get those big moments.
The revelation is poignant considering Scott passed away at 49. It also comes shortly after sports reporter Erin Andrews was harshly criticized on social media for her comments about the hardship of working holidays—Stuart and Andrews are a reminder that the glamour of the job doesn’t cancel out the time away from family.
3. Stuart Scott Asking Kim Johnson To Marry Him
The documentary includes commentary from Scott’s family, including ex-wife Kim Scott (formerly Johnson). It shows an interview Scott did with her while still working for an NBC affiliate as well as footage of his marriage proposal. As a shocked Kim says to him right after, “You don’t do anything in a small way, do you?”
4. Stuart Scott And Keith Olbermann Sometimes Clashed On ESPN2
Olbermann was the bold face of the ESPN2 launch, what Suzy Kolber refers to during the doc as Olbermann’s “domain.” Stuart and Olbermann had “a little bit of a battle” over style and substance—no surprise, since both were competitive.
Stuart Scott walks across the field before a “Monday Night Football” game between the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium on November 18, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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5. Stuart Scott Received Complaints From Other Black People About His Choices
Scott relates stories about hearing from other Black men saying his delivery was “tearing us down” or divisive by using “improper language or street slang.” But Scott said that wouldn’t make him change, noting that he took his cue “from life” and what he’d experienced. He said many of his references were for Black people, who didn’t often have people speaking directly to them on the network, and he stood by that decision.
6. Stuart Scott Felt Affirmation When He Began Working On Monday Night Football
It took Scott years to gain traction from his early “Sportsmash” appearances on ESPN2 to becoming a regular SportsCenter host. When ESPN gained MNF rights in 2006 and he was chosen to host pre- and post-game coverage, he was incredibly excited, colleagues and family say. It showed years of hard work paying off.
7. Stuart Scott Dreamed Of Playing In The NFL
Stuar Scott famously participated in NFL training camp with the New York Jets for an ESPN story. Kim Scott tells their daughters during the documentary that “your dad got it in his head he might make the team.” Scott actually sustained a serious eye injury at camp instead.