Legendary Turner Sports broadcaster Craig Sager’s passing at 65 Thursday after a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia has sparked tributes from across the sports world. Here’s how some sports channels delivered the news, starting with Trey Wingo on ESPN:
Here’s the NBA TV announcement from Ro Parrish:
That leads into this tribute video from Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson:
We are forever #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/t9C3x6znkb
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 15, 2016
Rachel Nichols delivered the news, as well as a touching personal tribute to Sager (who she worked with at Turner for three years) and condolences to his family, on ESPN2’s The Jump, with Brian Windhorst and Tracy McGrady also offering thoughts:
And Michelle Beadle got emotional on ESPN’s SportsNation:
Here’s a longer tribute looking back at Sager’s remarkable career from ESPN’s John Anderson:
As for the NBA themselves, commissioner Adam Silver sent out a statement with his own tribute to Sager and confirmed that teams will observe a moment of silence in Sager’s honor:
NBA commissioner Adam Silver's statement on Craig Sager plus info that teams will honor Craig with a moment of silence: pic.twitter.com/S3n1avPowZ
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) December 15, 2016
Frequent Sager interviewee, foil and friend Gregg Popovich had a touching statement:
https://twitter.com/GeraldBourguet/status/809557950641471488
As did MLB legend Hank Aaron, who Sager famously interviewed after Aaron set the home-run record:
Craig Sagar was there when I crossed the plate for #715 & has been a friend ever since.I thought the world of him & he will be sorely missed
— Hank Aaron (@HenryLouisAaron) December 15, 2016
And Suns’ guard Devin Booker wore a Sager-inspired shirt for warmup:
.@DevinBook paying tribute to Craig Sager before tonight's game. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/j6iMe5NcEm
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 16, 2016
As did Blazers’ guard Damian Lillard:
https://twitter.com/HoopMixOnly/status/809552427321954305
And the whole Celtics’ team:
Rest In Peace Craig Sager pic.twitter.com/jgl9IhKozO
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) December 16, 2016
Many other current and former athletes offered their thoughts as well:
Craig Sager thanks for saving my life when I was in dire need of help in Detroit back in 1993. Condolences to your family. RIP my friend.
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) December 15, 2016
Colorful dresser, spot on with his sideline reporting, but more importantly, #Craig Sager cared about people . #Great smile #irreplaceable
— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) December 15, 2016
The sports community lost a good man and talent today. RIP Craig Sager. Thank you for your inspiration and spirit. #legend pic.twitter.com/Mec0nk84F2
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) December 15, 2016
“Time is simply how you live your life.” – Craig Sager. So grateful for the time you shared with all of us. RIP my friend #sagerstrong
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) December 15, 2016
There was nobody like Craig Sager, and the sidelines will never be the same without him. Rest In Peace, Craig. #sagerstrong pic.twitter.com/0sggNIb8Vk
— Jason Kidd (@RealJasonKidd) December 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/ThaboSefolosha/status/809507549112311808
RIP Sager… Was always great to see him arriving at work! Left his mark on the game! Rest up
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) December 15, 2016
Craig Sager brought so much enthusiasm to the NBA game. But his fight to the end is what really impressed me. RIP to an inspiring man.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) December 15, 2016
ESPN President, John Skipper. issued this statement:
“Craig Sager Statement from ESPN President John Skipper: “Our thoughts are with the Sager family and our friends at Turner Sports. Craig was a universally respected and beloved reporter and a one-of-a-kind personality. His memorable ESPYS speech demonstrated his exceptional strength and a relentlessly positive energy that inspired millions of us.”
A photo posted by Karl-Anthony Towns (@karltowns) on
And many journalists and broadcasters offered their thoughts as welll:
RIP to the NBA's signature sideline reporter and one-of-a-kind character Craig Sager … 2017 can't get here fast enough.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 15, 2016
Rest In Peace, Craig Sager. What a valiant and inspirational fight. May his good work continue as his legacy. Prayers for all loved Craig.
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) December 15, 2016
There is just no better person, colleague and friend…my thoughts and prayers are with his family and our Turner sports family #SagerStrong
— Greg Anthony (@GregAnthony50) December 15, 2016
Plus those outside sports:
Craig Sager died as he lived—with courage, passion, perseverance. Fearless and hopeful, a real hero. pic.twitter.com/lPzJUPevTE
— VP Biden (Archived) (@VP44) December 15, 2016
RIP Craig Sager. You always brought joy, on the sideline & in life!!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) December 15, 2016
Craig Sager thanks for saving my life when I was in dire need of help in Detroit back in 1993. Condolences to your family. RIP my friend.
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) December 15, 2016
Bob Costas pays tribute to the life and career of Craig Sager after the legendary broadcaster died on Thursday at 65. pic.twitter.com/3LbrjkRp7Z
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) December 16, 2016
We’ll continue to add more tributes in as they come.
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