VIDEO: Stuart Scott's inspiring, tear-jerking ESPYS speech

In his battle with cancer, sometimes Stuart Scott stops fighting. And that's OK, he said.

As the ESPN anchor explained in his powerful Jimmy V Perseverance Award acceptance speech at the ESPYS Wednesday night, it doesn't always have to be your fight. Sometimes it's up to those around you.

"This whole fight, this journey thing, is not a solo venture," he said. "I called my big sister Susan a few days ago. Why? I needed to cry. It was that simple."

Scott, a University of North Carolina alumnus who served as an intern at ABC11 while he was a student, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2007. In his speech, he spoke openly about his 7-year battle. A few days earlier, he hadn't been sure if he would be able to make it to the sports awards show because he was weak after some time spent in the hospital. The doctors, nurses, and his friends and family fought for him, he said.

He also said that a battle against cancer can be won no matter how long the person lives.

"When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer," he said. "You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live. So live!"

Scott finished by saying that being a dad is the most important thing he will ever do. His daughter came up and hugged him onstage.

Here's the entire speech:

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The Jimmy V Perseverance Award is named for Jim Valvano, the beloved North Carolina State University basketball coach who gave his legendary "Don't Give Up" speech at the 1993 ESPYS. He died weeks after giving the speech.