Honoring a Birthday Twin

When Aaron and I were first married we religiously watched NFL Primetime on ESPN on Sunday nights. The show always featured Chris Berman and Tom Jackson, but for a few years in the early 90's, Robin Roberts was also a co-host. I have to be honest and say that a lot of female sports reporters fall short of the mark in my opinion, but there's something about Robin that draws you in and makes you feel comfortable, and she was fun. She was known for the catch-phrase "go on with your bad self!" And oh, by the way, we share a birthday - not the same year, but we were both born November 23rd.

In 1995 Robin transitioned to Good Morning America and worked for both ABC and ESPN (they have common ownership so they're sister networks). I didn't watch her much for a while because if I watched a morning news program at all it was Today. But after Robin became the co-anchor of GMA (and especially after Today seemed to implode), I was drawn more to ABC in the morning.

People I know who have battled cancer or other awful diseases shrug off the label "brave," because they certainly would prefer to not be in the situation and they say that they don't have a choice in the matter. I say, yes you do have a choice because you are fighting the battle when you could just feel sorry for yourself and give up.

Robin Roberts not only fought TWO potentially fatal diseases, but she did it publicly, letting viewers in to see her battle. It was so touching to turn on GMA while she was on medical leave and see her coworkers give her a shout out each day. I was amazed to hear of the enormous increase in bone marrow donors after she went public with her second illness. Robin is an absolute inspiration, and when she was presented the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year's ESPYs, I certainly felt there was no one more deserving.

Below are two clips from that night; the first one is the introduction and pre-taped piece, the second is her acceptance speech. Together they last about 20 minutes, but it's time well spent, I promise (you might want some tissues handy).







In honor of Robin's college basketball career, here's an oldie but a goodie for #backthatazzup Friday: