ESPN Host Jay Harris Reveals Devastating Cancer Diagnosis — Details

With over 30 years in broadcasting and a long-running role on ESPN, the 60-year-old American journalist is revealing his prognosis, alongside the powerful story behind his career, family, and fight for awareness.

Jay Harris, longtime "SportsCenter" anchor, publicly disclosed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He shared the news during a live segment on "Good Morning America" on Thursday, June 5.

Speaking with host Michael Strahan, Harris said he decided to make his diagnosis public to encourage others, especially Black men, to take their health seriously and get screened.

Harris added that his doctor is optimistic about his condition: "Per my last scan, nothing has spread, so once we, you know, take out the prostate, hopefully that will be it. That's the goal."

He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday, June 10. "[I] will be away from SportsCenter for about a month to recover, and then I'm coming back better than ever," he said.

During the interview, Harris explained that several of his family members, including his father, had faced prostate cancer. The anchor has received strong support from friends, family, and ESPN colleagues.

He emphasized the importance of having open conversations about health: "We all need to talk about these things because we all have them in our families. By not talking about them, we just, really, I hate to be morbid, we sentence ourselves to death by not talking." He also suggested that men should follow women's example in getting regular health check-ups.

In an essay published the same day on ESPN Front Row, Harris offered more personal insight. "Over a month ago, I received news no one wants to hear: I have prostate cancer," he wrote.

Harris acknowledged that the news, though difficult, was not unexpected due to his family history and demographic: "Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men. My dad had a bout with prostate cancer, which he won."

Now 60 years old, Harris explained that prostate health had been a regular topic at his annual doctor visits. He's also kept his 26-year-old son informed about the diagnosis, saying, "Maybe I'm oversharing at times—lol—but he needs to know."

Harris noted that his PET scan showed no signs of the cancer spreading, but doctors will confirm more after surgery. "While that was quite the relief, I know that's not the final word," he penned. "My hope is that they won't find anything extra so that I can return to work in a month or so, 100 percent healthy."

In the aftermath of his diagnosis, Harris found support through candid talks with fellow "SportsCenter" anchors Hannah Storm and Brian Custer, both of whom have experienced cancer. He also received guidance from friends at the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Reflecting on a recent golf trip, Harris shared how the topic of health came up among his group of friends: "The conversation changed from the stuff that guys talk about when they're playing golf to all of our health things and our appointments. Middle-aged dudes are having some real talk. And it was a great conversation, the kind we need to have if we aren't already."

He noted that whenever he discusses his diagnosis, people respond with stories of their own experiences. "Oh, my cousin did the radiation," or "My father had the surgery" or "My uncle went through that years ago. Do you want me to ask him to call you?" he recounted hearing. Harris described this as one of the most meaningful outcomes of going public with his health news.

According to Harris, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 310,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2025. He stated that his purpose in sharing his journey is to encourage others to be informed and proactive: "If I can use my voice to help anyone in that number, that's what I want to do."

Away from the spotlight of his recent diagnosis, Harris is best known for a career spanning over three decades in television and radio news. He joined ESPN in February 2003 as an "ESPNews" anchor and made his "SportsCenter" debut just months later in May.

Since then, he has remained a mainstay on the network, anchoring shows ranging from weekend morning segments to weekday broadcasts at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Over the years, he has also hosted "Outside the Lines," "NFL Live," "Baseball Tonight," and coverage of the NBA Finals.

Before joining ESPN, Harris worked at WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh, where he moved from a temporary weekend reporter role to become the main weeknight anchor. His broadcasting roots go back to Pittsburgh's WAMO-FM and American Urban Radio Networks, as well as WOWI-FM in Norfolk, Virginia.

A Norfolk native, Harris graduated from Old Dominion University (ODU) in 1987 with a degree in speech communication. He has maintained strong ties to the university over the years.

In addition to receiving a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003, he delivered the 100th commencement speech in 2004 and returned again in 2022 as a keynote speaker. He has also served two terms on ODU's Board of Visitors.

Harris' accolades include contributing to multiple Emmy Award-winning "SportsCenter" broadcasts and receiving a Silver World Medal from the New York Festival Awards, a Robert L. Vann Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, and an EXCEL Award from the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals.

Outside the newsroom, Harris is an avid golfer, bass guitarist, and a dedicated mentor. He scored his first hole-in-one during a charity tournament in Las Vegas in 2014 — winning a car in the process.

Harris met his wife, Stephanie Prigmore, during a Labor Day fraternity dance at ODU's Webb Student Center. Though their relationship didn't begin immediately, it evolved into a lasting partnership.

Prigmore, a Green Run High graduate, left her job as a bank manager to become a full-time mom after the birth of their son, Bryce. She nearly died during childbirth due to complications that required emergency surgery. The couple later adopted a daughter, Tyra, through a social services agency.

Bryce, now a University of Hartford graduate, works in music and social justice, while Tyra is a high-achieving high school student exploring careers in theater and marine biology.

Throughout his life and career, Harris has maintained a deep sense of gratitude toward his family. He credits his wife for encouraging him to take a leap when ESPN offered him a role after previous rejections.

He often refers to his ESPN position as a "get-to" job rather than a "have-to" one, emphasizing how fortunate he feels to do what he loves.

His connection to his late father, Al, is also central to his story. Al was a longshoreman and community pillar in Norfolk, known for helping neighbors and finding work opportunities for those in need. A court dedicated in Harris' name at a YMCA in Newport News was, as he expressed, also a tribute to his father's spirit and legacy.

Harris' journey — from a determined young journalist in Norfolk to a respected voice on ESPN — has been marked by resilience, purpose, and deep personal values.

As he faces his latest challenge with openness and strength, he continues to use his platform to inform, inspire, and uplift others. His story is not only one of professional achievement, but also of family, faith, and unwavering dedication to making a difference.