Chadwick Boseman, the star of “Black Panther” died on Friday after a long battle with colon cancer. He was 43.
Boseman, who portrayed baseball icon Jackie Robinson in the 2013 film “42”, died on the same day of Major League Baseball’s annual celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of the color barrier-breaking Brooklyn Dodgers star. with every player wearing Robinson’s No. 42.
“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” the statement read from Boseman’s official Twitter account. “It was the honor of his life to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020
The sporting world responded in droves with news of Boseman’s death. As MLB and NBA players reacted on Twitter and shared their appreciation for the actor.
Major League Baseball and their stars like Adam Jones and Marcus Stroman showed their love for Boseman and his legacy in telling the story of Robinson.
We are devastated by the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. His transcendent performance in “42” will stand the test of time and serve as a powerful vehicle to tell Jackie’s story to audiences for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/8oU7QpdLSE
— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2020
RIP Black Kings. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/D6AffQSGhC
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) August 29, 2020
RIP King! 😢 https://t.co/RXekrg12pi
— Taijuan Walker (@tai_walker) August 29, 2020
Gotta cherish life. Live out your dreams. You want to do something do it. Time won’t always be on your side!!! https://t.co/vErnQ0uSev
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) August 29, 2020
Jayson Tatum, Kevin Love and Trae Young were among the many stars to went to Twitter to share their appreciation for “T’Challa”.
Just met you for the first time at all star… never stopped having this smile on your face… 😭😭🙏🏽 https://t.co/aYxDjEJHuV
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 29, 2020
RIP legend ❤️🙏🏽😓 https://t.co/j2yLUjzrVB
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) August 29, 2020
Smh it’s just to much going on right now……. R.I.H #BlackPanther https://t.co/Vh9WvZz1bP
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) August 29, 2020
Rest in power @chadwickboseman !! Your legacy will live forever. 2020 man, been a tough one 💔
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) August 29, 2020
Chadwick Boseman?????????????? It can’t be…
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) August 29, 2020
Loss for words….one of my favorite actors. Praying for his family and loved ones. #RIPKing https://t.co/cwgDIVRmN6
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) August 29, 2020
Fighter till the end 🤍 I’m sick https://t.co/pwS6onydNl
— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) August 29, 2020
No way! No way! No way! Noooooo https://t.co/53SEgXT9DO
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) August 29, 2020
Other stars from across the sporting world from the WWE to the UFC, from the NFL to the NHL, also went to their social media to pay their condolences and shared the impact the actor had on their lives.
Hard to hear about this.
Rest in love, brother.
Thank you for shining your light and sharing your talent with the world. My love and strength to your family. https://t.co/hNAWav7Cq8— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 29, 2020
I’m a grown man now, but I never had superheroes that I remember looking up to. Chadwick Boseman was my Superhero when I watched Black Panther 🙌🏾 He seemed like a great man and gave a lot of hope and inspiration to young black children. RIP @chadwickboseman! pic.twitter.com/R212oxi32e
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 29, 2020
People wonder how I can smile in my situation. Its because of situations like @chadwickboseman He gave us all those movies while battling stage 4 cancer and he did it with a smile! He had so much joy and passion for what he did. All the while….. Everything is about perspective!
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) August 29, 2020
So sad! RIP! https://t.co/jKt0rW6Kqo
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) August 29, 2020
2020 has been wild 🤯🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Mjj7yvHNOG
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) August 29, 2020
RIP #ChadwickBozeman
THANK YOU for being a part of one of the most important moments for Black culture around the world in Our Lifetime!! #KingSalute— Titus O’Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) August 29, 2020
Unbelievable
Rest In Power https://t.co/7ZNsVsSKe6— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) August 29, 2020
The Denver Broncos highlighted Boseman’s role in “The Express”, where he played 5-time Pro Bowler and Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little.
You played Floyd Little in The Express like all your roles – with grace and passion.
Rest In Peace, @chadwickboseman. pic.twitter.com/riSIxajsvH
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 29, 2020
MORE: Victor Oladipo on that ‘Black Panther’ mask and how he passes the time on the team plane