**Robin Roberts Reflects on the Influence of Pat Summitt in New Documentary**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/robin-roberts-pat-summit2-32426-ccfc46a1240342538fa8c23b2b5b6856.jpg)
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, acclaimed broadcaster Robin Roberts has opened up about her enduring friendship with the late Pat Summitt, the legendary coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team. Celebrated for her extraordinary achievements in sports, Summitt was not only a mentor to Roberts but also a source of strength during a challenging time in her life.
Roberts, co-anchor of *Good Morning America*, recently took on the role of executive producer for the new documentary titled *Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story*, which is set to be available for streaming on March 25. This film offers a revealing insight into Summitt’s remarkable journey, her professional milestones, and her battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which ultimately claimed her life in August 2011.
Reflecting on their first encounter nearly 40 years ago, Roberts recalled how she met Summitt when she was a budding sports reporter in Nashville. At the time, Summitt had just led the Lady Vols to their inaugural NCAA championship in 1987. Their relationship began with mutual respect, as Summitt recognised Roberts’ ambition in a field where women were still a rare presence.
“I drove to Knoxville to interview her, and she was pouring into me because it was rare to see a woman doing sports on television,” Robert shared. Despite being the one seeking an interview, Roberts found herself in a supportive friendship with Summitt. “She wanted to be my champion, but I was like, ‘I’m here to talk to you, Coach Pat,’ and so a friendship started there,” Roberts explained.
The bond between the two women deepened over the years, especially during their respective health battles. In 2007, Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer. During this difficult period, Summitt provided emotional support that triggered a profound experience for the broadcaster. “When I went through breast cancer, she was still at the height of her career, and she would take the time to reach out to me regularly,” recalled Roberts. Summitt often encouraged her with a simple mantra: “Left foot, right foot, breathe.”
This phrase became a lifeline for Roberts. “It helped me get out of bed,” she stated, underscoring how Summitt’s motivational words had a lasting impact during a critical time in her life. Roberts, who also had her own background as a collegiate basketball player, was there to support Summitt through her Alzheimer’s journey, with both women drawing strength from their shared experiences and competitive spirits.
“It was very painful to watch,” Roberts said candidly, reflecting on the advancing Alzheimer’s that robbed Summitt of her memories. “But like she said, she didn’t want a pity party.” The bond they fostered through hardship allowed them to uplift each other, showcasing the resilience that defined both their lives.
*Breaking Glass* not only features previously unseen archival footage but also includes heartfelt interviews with those closest to Summitt, charting her progression from a Tennessee dairy farm to becoming a groundbreaking force in women’s basketball as a coach. Her impact, however, extended beyond the hardwood.
Roberts credits Summitt with instilling a sense of confidence during her formative years. “I was 26 years old, living away from home for the first time, working in Nashville,” she said, reflecting on her early career. Living in a time when few women were actively seen in sports broadcasting, she experienced intense feelings of self-doubt. “There was no other woman to look to… and she just poured into me, making me believe that I was worthy,” Roberts recounted.
For Roberts, Summitt wasn’t just a coach in the realm of sports, but a guiding light during a pivotal phase of her life. “She came into my life at the right time when I was very young, and it can be very frightening,” she noted. Having someone of Summitt’s stature believe in her was incredibly empowering, even if she had not donned the orange uniform of the University of Tennessee.
Summitt’s influence remains palpable in Roberts’ life, and she emphasised that, for her, “she was my coach.” This statement encapsulates the profound impact Summitt had not only in her own career but also in setting a precedent for future generations of women in sports.
As *Breaking Glass* nears its release date, it appears set to further cement Summitt’s legacy as not just a football coach, but as a genuine inspire for those both within and beyond the realm of sport. Through this documentary, Roberts hopes to share the indelible mark left by Summitt, resonating with audiences who seek inspiration from stories of resilience and empowerment.