101 ESPN host Anthony Stalter announced today that his partner Chris Duncan will not be returning to the station. Duncan had taken a temporary leave of absence from the station in April after announcing that he was battling a brain tumor.
Stalter began today’s edition of The Turn by announcing that Duncan gave their bosses word that he would not be returning to the show. He mentioned that the tumor, which Duncan had beaten once before, had returned months before Duncan revealed it to the audience.
“Dunc, because he did not want to let us down, he didn’t want to let you, the listener down, he didn’t want to let anybody down on 101, he was dealing with another brain tumor while doing the show,” Stalter said. “I don’t know how he did it. I don’t know how…to sit there and watch the beloved Cardinals or the beloved Blues, or to deal with all of the Rams crap. For him to be fighting cancer and prepping for a show.”
You can hear the full audio of the announcement below.
Duncan himself has been very private about what is going on. Stalter said that most texts asking Duncan about his health have received a thumbs up emoji in return.
Stalter said that Dunc had “the weight of the world on him” when he decided to step away from the show temporarily. He asked listeners that pray to please pray and for those that don’t to keep Chris Duncan in their thoughts.
Stalter was adamant that he isn’t going to think or talk about what comes next for the show, but said that what The Turn was cannot be duplicated without Chris Duncan. A rotation of guest hosts have filled in for Duncan since April. Stalter said that bosses at 101 ESPN did not want to fill the chair permanently until Duncan decided for himself that he wasn’t coming back. Stalter also gave Duncan credit for championing his move from the producer’s chair to a hosting role.
