Former president Jimmy Carter's death Sunday brought tributes from the sports world, including at the "Sunday Night Football" game. Photo Credit: NBC Photo Credit: NBC
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Former president Jimmy Carter’s death Sunday afternoon at age 100 brought an outpouring of tributes from throughout the sports world.

Carter, who served from 1977 to 1981 as the 39th U.S. president, died at his home in Plains, Georgia.

The Atlanta Falcons were among the first sports teams to post a tribute to Carter, with a message from team owner Arthur Blank.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and role model, President Jimmy Carter,” Blank’s statement read. “He was a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.”


The Atlanta Braves followed a few minutes later with a tribute, calling Carter “a testament to the best America, and Georgia, can produce.”


Before the Sunday Night Football game at Northwest Stadium in Washington, just a few miles from the White House, the crowd observed a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons played the Washington Commanders. Carter’s image flashed on the video board.

MLB’s X account noted Carter “was an ardent supporter of the Atlanta Braves. As Governor of Georgia, he was in attendance when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record.”


The NFL reposted the Falcons’ tribute, while the NBA posted: “The NBA family mourns the passing of President Jimmy Carter. President Carter’s extraordinary humanitarian efforts and commitment to public service are an inspiration to people everywhere.”

In 1979, Carter became the first sitting president to attend an NBA game when he went to a postseason game between the Atlanta Hawks and (as they were then known) Washington Bullets. The Hawks also released a statement on Carter’s passing.

Individuals from the sporting world weighed in as well, and other social media accounts posted moments from Carter’s sporting past, including this video of him throwing out the first pitch before a 1995 World Series game featuring the Braves. (Carter, 71 at the time, impressively threw a strike.)

Some people posted statistical anecdotes trying to put Carter’s longevity into sporting terms.


Earlier in the afternoon, sportscasters shared the news with viewers. Here’s Curt Menefee reporting Carter’s death during NFL on Fox’s studio show.

RIP, President Carter.

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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