Last month, I shared with you the story about Sage Steele, an ESPN reporter, and anchor. She was looking from the gallery at the PGA Championship in Southern Hills in Tulsa (Oklahoma) when Jon Rahm’s errant tee shot careened into the gallery and struck Steele in her face. Steele was just finishing her ESPN coverage of the tournament and was looking on as a spectator when she was struck by the ball.
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One writer said that Rahm’s tee shot ended in the middle of the fairway after an eyewitness saw her.
Steele went first to the hospital. She then returned to Connecticut to continue her coverage of the tournament. On Thursday, the 49-year-old ESPN sportscaster returned to television and her first moments on TV were very emotional.
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Steele observed how “it’s incredible how quickly life can change.”
She said, “I feel like I am the luckiest person on the planet to still be here” and that she was standing three weeks ago tomorrow. “So, thanks — thank you, God.”
She made a special effort to thank Matt Barrie, her co-anchor, for being there on set on Thursday morning. Barrie was there by her side as the accident occurred, and he comforted her and kept the cameras away from her during the aftermath.
Steele looked stunning, even though you could see that her left side wasn’t fully developed. Steele admitted that she still has a long way to go and that there is still a lot to do.
Steele was told by Barrie that he had told people this was a 1 in 50 million, and you took it like a champ.
He said, “Here’s the thing I want to see you back at work.”
Steele is a rarity at CNN. She’s a conservative Christian who doesn’t mind talking about her beliefs on the set but maintains professionalism on camera. She sued ESPN and The Walt Disney Company earlier this year for violating free speech and for withholding opportunities for her to speak out for what is right.
It’s great to see Sage Steele on SportsCenter. I pray that she continues to heal.
