The loss of a pet is not easy no matter who you are. Everybody processes these things differently, and if you are Scott Van Pelt, you have a very public place to do so.
“I apologize in advance for however this goes,” SVP began. “Le Batard asked if I cried when I wrote it, said I’m doomed if I did. So, I guess I’m doomed. It’s alright”
Van Pelt used his “One Big Thing” segment on SportsCenter after the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night to pay tribute to Otis, his boxer, who died this week. On Wednesday, Scott Van Pelt tweeted that he and his family said goodbye to their dog. The next night, he tried to put that grief into words.
“I don’t know what else in my life has made me cry like this – so much profound sadness over a love that was so damn pure,” he said, expressing a sentiment familiar to pet owners. “Now, it bothers my mom when I say nobody ever loved me the way Otis did, because she’s my mom. I understand, but I just say ‘Did I ever do anything that made you mad? Uh huh, exactly! Otis was never mad at me.'”
It struck a chord with many viewers and sports fans. That included a number of SVP’s sports media colleagues who took to Twitter to share condolences and their own emotions.
During the tribute, Scott Van Pelt explained that Otis was his first dog. He said there was no way he could have been truly prepared for the devestation he feels.
“I’ve read countless moving tributes through the years about what your bonds meant and what made your dogs unique. I always felt badly for you, but I had no idea honestly, and I wish I didn’t know now.”
