She may not have a connection to sports now, but Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts is fondly remembered from her days on the old ABC's Wide World of Sports and when she, Bob Ley and Charley Steiner, a.k.a. "The Mod Squad" anchored the 6 p.m.  ET SportsCenter on ESPN in the early 1990's. While Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann got the headlines for "The Big Show" at 11 p.m., "The Mod Squad" got the higher ratings. It's true.

And she was recognized at this year's ESPY's when she was bestowed the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her recovery from a rare blood disease and bone marrow transplant. 

Earlier this week, Roberts wrote a message of gratitude on her Facebook page one year after she came home from the emergency transplant. She wrote:

"At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy and gratitude.

I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health.

I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life.

I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.

I am grateful for the many prayers and well wishes for my recovery. I return every one of them to you 100 fold."

While Roberts has mentioned her sister and doctors in the past, this marks the first time she has publicly mentioned her relationship with her girlfriend. 

Roberts follows in the footsteps of several other notable personalities who have come out in 2013 that have had or currently have ties to the spots world. She remains an inspirational figure for the way she's publicly battled her rare blood disorder and we continue to wish her all the best.

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About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.