Dave Portnoy, 47, revealed he underwent surgery during his latest appearance on the Barstool podcast. This medical procedure follows his recent diagnosis of skin cancer.
During a session on the BFFS Podcast, hosted by Barstool Sports, Portnoy was seen with a noticeable cut on his neck, which prompted co-host Brianna LaPaglia to inquire about its origin. According to Daily Mail, Portnoy confirmed it was due to a surgery he had undergone to remove a skin cancer lesion.
In response to further questioning by LaPaglia, Portnoy nonchalantly confirmed that the stitches were from removing the cancerous mole, stating, "Yeah, cancer. I beat it though." Portnoy expressed his usual upbeat attitude despite the serious nature of the health scare, emphasizing his survival and resilience.
LaPaglia probed if the cancer was a result of excessive sun exposure without protection, to which Portnoy shared it did contribute to his condition. Portnoy maintains a robust demeanor about the challenges he faces, saying that although cancer is intimidating, it doesn’t overly frighten him.
Portnoy described his proactive approach towards his health:
I'm starting to get on top of myself. I went to a doctor, did a skin thing and they scraped it and one of them came back as cancerous. I don't know, 10 or 12 stitches in there. There are stitches underneath, it.
The procedure led to Portnoy missing a significant event. He was absent from the Boston Celtics’ NBA title win over the Dallas Mavericks due to the recent surgery, where he had previously been a regular figure courtside.
Despite missing the game, Portnoy celebrated the historic win from home, solidifying his fan dedication by sharing a video on social media where he was seen puffing on a cigar, sporting a large medical patch over the stitched area. This act highlighted his continued zest for life and characteristic bravado.
His fans also learned that he had financially backed his beloved team with a substantial $1.6 million bet, which thankfully ended in his favor when the Celtics clinched the title.
In May, before these events, Portnoy had openly tweeted his intentions to get his moles assessed by a top dermatologist. This was driven by what he described as his neglect of regular health check-ups.
"I don't want to be like 'Oh I have cancer, feel bad for me' but I wanted sympathy. If you're going to have cancer, it's the best. I didn't even tell anyone I was doing it," elaborated Portnoy, reflecting a bit of his private battle with the disease.
Notably, he added boldly that despite the diagnosis, "It's not scary. I mean it is, but it's not. I add it to my list. I've had a heart attack, cancer, and stung by bees beat it all. And it's tough to complain, I lay in the sun."
Portnoy acknowledged his condition with a mix of seriousness and trademark humor, "There's serious cancer. Mine wasn't. But I have the right to say I am a cancer survivor now. It looks like I got stabbed."
In conclusion, Dave Portnoy has faced a significant health challenge with the diagnostic revelation and subsequent treatment of skin cancer. His proactive approach towards treatment, coupled with his characteristic resilience and humor, underscores his continued engagement with life's challenges, whether personal health or supporting his favored sports teams. This episode once again highlights his multifaceted personality and the blend of seriousness and lightheartedness he brings to both his personal and public life.
