Stuck In My Thoughts
Stuck In My Thoughts
Justin Stuckey
Jay Harris Talks Beating Cancer | ESPN Journey | Legacy | Stuck In My Thoughts Podcast
1 hour 1 minutes Posted Mar 3, 2026 at 10:00 pm.
–2:22Cancer Diagnosis 2:22–4:01Why Men Don’t Check In 4:01–4:51When You Should Get Checked for Prostate Cancer 4:51–6:21Appreciating Seeing Another Birthday 6:21–8:47What He Believes His Legacy Will Be 8:47–9:47All-Star Weekend Experience 9:47–11:02Childhood Sports Memories 11:02–11:47Cover Band Wasn’t a Career 11:47–12:40College Jay Harris 12:40–14:40Learn Your Craft 14:40–17:34The Blessing in Rejection 17:34–21:41How He Met His Wife 21:41–23:21Chasing the Dream 23:21–24:45Betting on Yourself / Being Realistic 24:45–26:10Supporting His Kids 26:10–29:04Handling the Positive & Negative Feedback 29:04–32:17ESPN Audition 32:17–33:31Originally Told ESPN “NO” 33:31–37:01First Day at ESPN 37:01–39:49Continuous Learning 39:49–41:08Longevity in Sports Broadcasting 41:08–42:55Relationship With Hannah Storm 42:55–44:42Routine of the Job 44:42–46:07COVID Sports Coverage 46:07–47:07Pro Wrestling Love 47:07–51:27Basketball Mt Rushmore 51:27–53:11Funny Celebrity Meeting Story 53:11–54:22Does Politics Belong in Sports? 54:22–57:41What Jay Harris Gets Stuck in His Thoughts About 57:41–1:00:31Mike Hill in the Show Next? 1:00:31–1:01:12Outro 1:01:12–1:01:57
0:00
1:01:58
Download MP3
Show notes
In this powerful episode of Stuck In My Thoughts, host Justin Stuckey sits down with longtime ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris for one of the most transparent and inspiring conversations you’ll hear in sports media. From the opening moments, Jay opens up about his prostate cancer diagnosis, detailing how he found out, the emotional weight of hearing the news, and why men, especially Black men, too often avoid regular checkups. He shares critical insight on when you should get screened for prostate cancer, what early detection means, and why prioritizing your health could save your life. The conversation then shifts into perspective what it means to appreciate another birthday, how a health scare reshapes gratitude, and what Jay believes his legacy at ESPN will ultimately be after decades behind the desk. He reflects on covering NBA All-Star Weekend, childhood sports memories that shaped his love for broadcasting, his short-lived dreams in a cover band, and what “College Jay Harris” was really like before becoming a national voice in sports.As the episode continues, Jay dives deep into mastering your craft in sports broadcasting, the blessing hidden inside rejection, and the persistence required to chase the dream of working at ESPN. He shares the story of how he met his wife, what betting on yourself truly means while still being realistic about your path, and how he supports his children while navigating a demanding career. Jay also addresses handling both positive and negative feedback in the social media era, walking through his ESPN audition process, the shocking moment he originally told ESPN “no,” and what his first day at the network felt like. From continuous learning and longevity in sports media to his professional relationship with Hannah Storm, viewers get an inside look at the routine of a SportsCenter anchor, how COVID-19 reshaped sports coverage, and his longtime love for pro wrestling. The episode also features Jay building his basketball Mount Rushmore, telling a hilarious celebrity encounter story, and offering thoughtful perspective on whether politics belongs in sports. To close, Jay shares what he personally gets “stuck in his thoughts” about and teases whether Mike Hill could be next on the show. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, faith, preparation, sports journalism, ESPN history, cancer awareness, career longevity, and betting on yourself—making it a must-watch for aspiring broadcasters, athletes transitioning into media, and anyone chasing purpose at the highest level.TimestampIntro