Jay Harris on 'SportsCenter' for the first time after undergoing surgery to remove his prostate after a prostate cancer diagnosis Photo Credit: ESPN
By Reice Shipley on

On Saturday, longtime SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris made his return to the network after revealing his diagnosis of prostate cancer last month. And there was no shortage of support for Harris from many of his colleagues at the network in his return.

After having surgery to remove his prostate on June 10, Harris took over a month off to recover from the surgery. And during his time off, Harris updated his following on social media of how his recovery was going and where his mental headspace was after the surgery.

“My doctor said the surgery went really well. So well, in fact, that the cancer that was in my prostate stayed there, didn’t spread to any surrounding areas,” said Harris in an update on June 23. So when he took the prostate out, he took that with it, so it’s all good.

“The main thing is, we’re all good, and I’m looking forward to July 12, getting back to SportsCenter and getting back to work. Just home, resting up, chilling. Appreciate the prayers and the thoughts and the messages and the calls and the deliveries. Thank you so much. Appreciate all the love, and I will holler. Take care. Peace!”

Joined by Brian Custer and Charles Barkley, who featured on the program from the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship this weekend, Harris was welcomed back into the fold on SportsCenter on Saturday.

“I want to say, welcome back Jay Harris,” said Barkley. “One of my favorite people at ESPN. Glad to have Jay back.”

“Hey, that’s my guy, Charles Barkley,” said Harris. “This is SportsCenter, glad to be back. Alongside my brother, Brian Custer, I am Jay Harris.”

“It’s great to have you back my brother,” said Custer. “It’s great to see you back in that chair.”

Naturally, many at ESPN along with others in the sports media space went out of their way to express their excitement about Harris returning to ESPN programming in posts on social media.

“Welcome back brother,” wrote ESPN NBA writer Marc Spears.

“My guy is back #truefighter,” wrote Brian Custer.

“Two really great guys! Congratulations to both. Keep inspiring,” wrote Otis Livingston, the sports director at CBS2 in New York.

Given how important Harris has been to ESPN programming over his 22-year tenure at the network, it’s far from surprising to see just how much support he has received in his return. And Harris was certainly appreciative of all the support he has received, taking to social media to say thank you for all of the kind words he has received since his life-changing diagnosis.

“So glad to be back!!! Appreciate all the well wishes!!!” wrote Harris on X.

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

View all posts by Reice Shipley