How This Basketball Coach Used Scripture, Prayer to Inspire Sportscaster Dick Vitale as He Battles Cancer

Published: February 4, 2022

How This Basketball Coach Used Scripture, Prayer to Inspire Sportscaster Dick Vitale as He Battles Cancer

By Movieguide® Staff

Rick Barnes, the head coach for the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team, revealed that he sends prayers and scriptures to his friend and legendary broadcaster, Dick Vitale, who battles cancer.

Vitale recently expressed his gratitude for Barnes’ messages in a recent tweet.

“During Texas game vs Vols I shared that ⁦@RickBarnesUT sends me a DAILY PRAYER to lift my spirits in my battles vs Melanoma, Lymphoma, & my vocal cord problem,” Vitale wrote. “I was shocked when he started doing this. This AM after a tough L at Texas he sends me this ??? Rick is special!”

Barnes’ texts include a heartfelt prayer and multiple Bible verses to encourage Vitale.

“Lord, we know that Dick has been through a lot,” Barnes’ prayer read. “Praying Father for you to give him rest for his mind, body, and spirit from the fatigue he is facing.”

“His KINDNESS brings tears to my eyes when I read his daily text,” Vitale responded in a separate message.

If you have a free two minutes, or even if you don’t, listen to this.

Rick Barnes has sent @DickieV daily prayers since his cancer diagnosis. He explains why it’s important to him to make sure his friend is not fighting alone.

“Dick Vitale has impacted a lot of lives.” pic.twitter.com/OdTfjUXrOv

— Madison Hock (@MadisonHock) January 31, 2022

Barnes recognized Vitale’s influence on both the sports world as a whole and his positive effect on those battling cancer before his personal fight.

“His involvement and what he’s done for cancer is remarkable. He’s impacted so many lives. I think God is using him in a great way,” Barnes told WBIR-TV. “From the time I started texting him a prayer every day I said it has been good for me because it has given me a chance to spend even more alone time with the Lord.”

During Texas game vs Vols I shared that ⁦@RickBarnesUT⁩ sends me a DAILY PRAYER to lift my spirits in my battles vs Melanoma,Lymphoma, & my vocal cord problem.I was shocked when he started doing this .This AM after a tough L at Texas he sends me this 🙏🙏🙏 Rick is special! pic.twitter.com/CSW38zRQiB

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 30, 2022