Scott Van Pelt Credit: New Heights Podcast

Scott Van Pelt is one of America’s favorite sportscasters, and his comments setting up SportsCenter’s tour of all 50 states shows exactly the reason why.

ESPN will set sail this summer on their second 50 States in 50 Days tour across the country. But lest you think it’s just a marketing ploy to kill time before football season begins, SVP showed the great meaning behind getting out of the studio and visiting each state.

But more than that, Scott Van Pelt set aside time to talk about sports as the great connector and unifier in our increasingly divided society. And what he said was an incredibly powerful message that showed why the love of sports endures even when we face uncertain and challenging times as a country.

“It’s sobering to ponder 20 years because they went by like that. I certainly do not have 20 more here at ESPN, but maybe I do. The reason I am still here and enjoy it as much as I ever have is that sports remain the greatest thing we got. And that is the ethos of this summer stunt, as it’s known in the television business. It’s a celebration of that and how great our country is. Of course, we dive into both on the 4th of July with another great American tradition, sanctioned gluttony. The hot dog eating contest and Yankees-Mets. Nothing is red, white, and blue as baseball and hot dogs,” Van Pelt said.

“For as fractured as things occasionally feel along the lines of red and blue, as in the supposed colors of states, we are still red, white and blue. And our greatest connector in divided times has always been sports,” the SportsCenter host added.

Van Pelt also gave a shoutout to folks in Oklahoma City and Indianapolis who he met during the NBA Finals. While much was made of ratings and small markets, the passionate fanbases in the middle of the country and enthusiasm surrounding both teams was great entertainment for the millions that did watch. And Van Pelt’s personable, relatable coverage on the late night SportsCenter postgame shows where he actually sat down and talked to the stars of the series was ESPN at its best.

“There’s so much chatter and noise in our lives that we hear, particularly on the devices that are glued in our hands. But that’s not real life. You experience that when you get out across the country which our travels allowed us to do during the NBA Finals. We didn’t fly over those states, we flew to them gladly. We got to connect with the people there who love sports, which is why we have these incredible jobs and get to celebrate the things we all love, the things that bring us together, the roars of the crowd and the moments we meet so many of you who watch this show and this network. That’s the sound that is so beautiful to be reacquainted with because that’s the noise that actually matters,” he proclaimed.

To sum it all up, Scott Van Pelt did more in two minutes to summarize the greatness of sports and the ability of ESPN to make the connection with sports fans than we have seen in quite some time. It was a fantastic tribute and shows the true meaning of the network going to all 50 states to celebrate each one and celebrate sports as a whole. At a time when there is far too much division and negativity, even in the sports world, hopefully this is a message that resonates with everyone.

“That is why we’re coming to every one of the great states in our country. To come see you and say thanks for letting us be a place you come to enjoy them all,” Van Pelt concluded.