Emotional night in Coleman Coliseum as Alabama broadcaster Chris Stewart returns from health scare

Alabama fans have rallied around broadcaster Chris Stewart as he’s battled serious health issues in recent months.

Wednesday’s home men’s basketball game against Mississippi State was the first game in Tuscaloosa for Stewart, following complications after heart-bypass surgery. After an extended hospital stay, Stewart returned home before Thanksgiving and returned to the Crimson Tide Sports Network’s broadcast for Alabama’s SEC opener Saturday at Florida.

About five months ago, Stewart tweeted pictures of visiting with friends and colleagues from his hospital room at Brookwood Baptist Hospital, including Eli Gold and John Parker Wilson, and added, “Docs say I’m doing great. Probably home Friday. So blessed in so many ways. Please continue with the prayers!”

Stewart has been Alabama’s basketball radio play-by-play announcer for 17 years.

He suffered a stroke on April 16, 2018, had an arteriogram and was to have a stent placed in his heart. He said he had been feeling pressure in his left arm over the previous couple of months.

Welcome back Chris Stewart! It’s great to have you back in Coleman Coliseum 😊 pic.twitter.com/OVEiRgQsFi

— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) January 9, 2020

Here’s a moment during a timeout that Michael Casagrande of AL.com captured:

Chris Stewart honored in the timeout. pic.twitter.com/xMv1fE0Wem

— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) January 9, 2020

Here’s Stewart reacting to coach Nate Oats’ reaction to his first game back:

Thanks Coach @nate_oats. So glad to be back, and appreciate the welcome from you, your staff, and your players. https://t.co/zqpH01hQj5

— Chris Stewart (@CStewartSports) January 7, 2020

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.