Jay Bilas supports former Syracuse star Pearl Washington with shirt on SportsCenter

Former Syracuse basketball star Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, who shone for the Orange from 1983 to 1986, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last summer and has been recently receiving support from the general public through a GoFundMe that’s brought in over $55,000 and through “Pearl” shirts worn by Syracuse players. Now, that support’s extended to ESPN, thanks to NCAA analyst Jay Bilas donning one of the shirts for an appearance on SportsCenter Tuesday morning:

The #PrayersForPearl campaign might not have the same publicity right now that it did a month ago, but leave it to Jay Bilas to do something about that.

The ESPN personality appeared on Sportscenter this morning wearing one the “Pearl” t-shirts that Syracuse Orange players have been wearing in recent weeks. Bilas didn’t mention the campaign but you couldn’t miss the message during the entire three minute-forty second interview.

Washington has faced some tough medical moments, including an unexpected hospital stay in Syracuse in December, and he’s undergoing at-home physical therapy and requires round-the-clock care. His friend Mark Finney told Syracuse.com’s Donna Ditota last month that the support has overwhelmed Washington:

“His words are always ‘unbelievable,'” Finney said this morning by telephone. “He gets very emotional when he hears about it. That’s Pearl. He’s very humble. He’s probably saying, under his breath, ‘Why are all these people doing this for me?'”

…Finney said he checks Washington’s Go Fund Me page each morning and has seen donations posted from outposts as distant as Alaska.

“Just incredible,” Finney said. “It’s obvious that across the country people respect Pearl and are thanking him by donating for all that he’s done for others throughout the years while playing for Syracuse and after his basketball career was over.”

Bilas’ donning of the shirt should help bring awareness of Washington’s situation to the wider public, and it’s great to see that. Those looking to help him out can check out the GoFundMe and/or the Prayers For Pearl site, which offers t-shirts to support his cause.

[Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician]