Enrique Garcia
Steadman
Writing 150
12 October 2015
The
Resounding Effect of Cancer
Jimmy
Valvano, a very successful basketball coach, player, and broadcaster, delivered
an emotional acceptance speech at the nationally televised ESPY Awards on ESPN
in 1993. The ESPY Awards is an annual award ceremony in which awards are
presented to individuals to recognize their achievements in both sports-related
performance and high character outside of sports. This moment in particular was
more about the latter - Jimmy Valvano’s example of strength. On March 3, 1993,
Jimmy V, as many called him, received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Just nine
months prior to speaking, Jimmy was diagnosed with a severe form of cancer
called Metastatic Adenocarcinoma. It was evident, by the way he spoke, his time
on earth was quickly coming to an end. This all amplified the emotions in the
room that night as he spoke to millions of avid sports fans, family, friends,
and strangers - all of whom could relate to his story in one way or another. It
was his hope and courageous fight with cancer that allowed his speech to not
only captivate the emotions (pathos) of the entire audience, but all who were
watching at home in front of their TV. Jimmy V accomplished this by being
upbeat and positive about the situation, talking directing about the personal
health and safety of loved one, and having a great cause to support in cancer
research.
The tone in Jimmy Valvano’s speech is very outgoing and lively. He
easily grabs the attention of the audience by being so humble and grateful,
speaking softly for the people who took notice of him. His vibrant, animated
personality coupled with his charismatic way of living is infectious. He
begins, “I can’t tell you what an honor it is to even be mentioned in the same
breath with Arthur Ashe” (a tennis player whom the award is named after) (V Foundation).
Not once does he begin to draw attention to himself or his accomplishments in
the entire message. After explaining how he doesn’t have a cue card telling him
his allotted time left, he half-jokingly says he’s going to speak longer than
anyone else. He explains, “That’s the way it goes. Time is very precious to me.
I don’t know how much I have left, and I have some things that I would like to
say. Hopefully, at the end, I will have said something that will be important
to other people, too” (V Foundation). That last statement would prove to be
true. His credibility is noted by being trustworthy and genuine in everything
he did or said. Although his health condition was life threatening, his
positive attitude and persevering heart is memorable. It became implanted in
others hearts. He built his ethos by being very trustworthy and genuine in
everything he did or said.
He also shares some insight on his daily struggle with cancer. By
using logos, he says nothing changed about the way he lived each day. “To me,
there are three things we all should do everyday. We should do this every day
of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh everyday. Number two is
think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is you should have
your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If
you laugh, you think, you cry that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day” (V
Foundation). He then makes you a promise, which is remarkable, if you follow
his invitation: “You do that seven times a week, you’re going to have something
special” (V Foundation). Although very simple, he shares these things as a
great reminder for all who are struggling and forget to do them. Coming from
someone with cancer, it is very powerful and an effective way to connect to the
pathos of the audience. He gets his listeners interested in the way he finds
lasting happiness and joy every day. His condition makes it all the more
compelling. We could all benefit by doing the things he mentioned here,
regardless of age or circumstances, because of the simplicity and sincerity in
which it was delivered.
With nearly three decades of coaching college basketball and a
1989 ACC coach of the year award under his belt, Jimmy V was a renowned person
on and off the court with as much experience as any other great coach. The key
to his success as a couch was accredited to three things: devotion to family,
religion and, of course, Rutgers basketball. As he remembered these things, his
passion and exuberance for them propelled him to his status as a coach. This is
present in his delivery. He had a great mentor and role model in Vince
Lombardi, who was also a great coach. He had a goal in mind, and it was to
become as great of a coach as Lombardi. Jimmy learned to motivate his players
just as Vince did. He would always remind them to remember where they came
from. He shares some wise counsel of goal making. “It’s so important to know
where you are. I know where I am right now. How do you go from where you are to
where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have
to have a dream, a goal. You have to be willing to work for it” (V Foundation).
Jimmy V lived this each day, and especially towards the end of his difficult
battle with cancer. Although he was taken prematurely from his family, he was
able to become so successful in life. His life and legacy was indicative of his
ethos and what he told all of us in his speech that night in 1993.
He later touched on strength and courage, the very thing he was
the recipient of, and spoke of his family, "People think I have courage.
The courage in my family are my wife Pam, my three daughters, here, Nicole,
Jamie, LeeAnn, my mom, who’s right here too” (V Foundation). He recognized them
and their efforts to keep him going. He was a great example of relying on
family through hard times. They too were weighed down by the burden Jimmy
faced. It was an extremely difficult time for all of them, and the only way
they were able to persevere was by uniting together as one in the fight,
bearing each other up.
As with all televised broadcasts, there are time limits. However,
Valvano had more things to share and was determined to say them, “That screen
is flashing up there 30 seconds (remaining) like I care about that screen right
now huh? I got tumors all over my body. I’m worried about some guy in the back
going 30 seconds?” (V Foundation) Jimmy humorously got a little irritated
there, but with reason. The crowd all wanted to hear what he had to say. He
continued with a challenge to everyone, “I just got one last thing; I urge all
of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. To spend
each day with some laughter and some thought, to get your emotions going” (as
if they hadn’t already been moved) (V Foundation). He then tells everyone to be
enthusiastic every day and quotes the great Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nothing great
could be accomplished without enthusiasm” (V Foundation). It’s clear that this
worked for him and his many challenges, and the audience is left wondering the
same thing: ‘Could this work for me too?’ They all left there with a great
desire to follow his advice.
Jimmy Valvano had accomplished so much up until this point in his
life, yet he still wanted to do more, “What I would like to be able to do is
spend whatever time I have left and to give, and maybe, some hope to others” (V
Foundation). He talks about his new foundation, The Jimmy V Foundation, and
their goal to find a cure for cancer - they won’t stop until they do. He brings
in their need for assistance and the logos appeal, “We need your help. I need
your help. We need money for research. It may not save my life. It may save my
children’s lives. It may save someone you love” (V Foundation). In order to get
his point across he states some terrifying facts, “...I...tell you that one in
every four will be afflicted with this disease, and yet some how, we seem to
have to put in a little bit of the background" (V Foundation). In addition
to being an eye-opening statement, this fact is clear and concise; it creates a
strong reason to support such a wonderful cause.
Jimmy V’s use of pathos is certainly the most effective of them
all. He is able to get through to people in such a personal way - talk about
the health and well-being of their loves ones. No one is immune to disease or
health problem and that is why his words are able to get through to people so
well. His words penetrated everyone’s hearts as well as his foundation’s motto,
“Don’t give up. . . Don’t ever give up” (V Foundation). He passed away just
eight weeks later, and his great words and his strength would be remembered by
countless individuals. The resounding effects of cancer resonated with the
audience. It pierced their emotions and gave Jimmy V a chance to transform a
tragedy into an opportunity to inform and uplift.
Work Cited
(V Foundation)
"ESPY Awards
Speech." The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.jimmyv.org/about-us/remembering-jim/jimmy-v-espy-awards-speech/>.
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