Just learned of the passing of original CNN Sports Tonight co-anchor Nick Charles. CNN reported on Nick’s death this morning. Nick and Fred Hickman were on the first night CNN signed on back on June 1, 1980. He remained with CNN until 2001. Among his co-anchors on CNN Sports Tonight including Hickman were Jim Huber, Dan Patrick, Dan Hicks, Hannah Storm and so many others.
Upon leaving CNN, he began a distinguished career calling boxing for Showtime, particularly ShoBox: The Next Generation and continued until he learned he had stage 4 bladder cancer in 2009. After undergoing chemotherapy, Nick returned to Showtime in early 2010, however, the cancer became more aggressive and he left Showtime for good. He did come back to the air one more time in March of this year, calling fights for HBO’s Boxing After Dark. It was his goodbye to the fans who were such a big part of his life.
Throughout this treatment, Nick handled cancer with dignity. He thought the disease was in remission in 2010, but when the cancer returned, he went through more treatments, but after realizing the cancer had taken its toll, he stopped them.
Charles began recording messages for his young daughter to be played after his death.
Sports Illustrated’s Joe Posnanski wrote a very poignant story on Charles earlier this year chronicling his embrace of life and his attempts to make every day special before passing.
Charles’s former colleague Jim Huber has reacted to his passing.
Here’s a story from Dr. Sanjay Gupta with Nick Charles.
Here are some of Nick’s former CNN colleagues including Keith Olbermann, Dan Hicks, Fred Hickman, Jim Huber and Vince Cellini discussing his passions and his legacy.
It’s truly a sad day. Charles was truly a pioneer in cable sports helping to establish one of the early cable sports rivalries with ESPN and forming one of the best anchor teams with Fred Hickman.
He will be missed.
