When legendary singer, songwriter and musician Prince died Thursday, the entire planet went into mourning, and the sports world was no exception.
The outpouring from athletes was immediate and dramatic.
This is so tragic. First MJ and now Prince! Two icons gone too soon!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 21, 2016
R.I.P PRINCE, another icon gone to soon
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 21, 2016
He will forever live on.. #RipPrince
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 21, 2016
Such sad news about @Prince passing. Incredible artist and an inspiration. #RIPPrince
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) April 21, 2016
#RIPPrince. When we lose 1 our TRUE entertainers & pioneers it makes u rethink your life & stop taking people & things for granted. #TRUTH
— Deion Sanders (@DeionSanders) April 21, 2016
To the man I named my son after RIP to the great Prince
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) April 21, 2016
The Man, The Musician, The Legend, The Icon Thanks you for Playing the SoundTrack to or Lives. RIP Prince!!! pic.twitter.com/7Z6vZnJN91
— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) April 21, 2016
One of the best concerts I ever saw hands down #RIPPrince . Great mix of funk, rock, soul. #MusicalGenius. Thanks for the music/memories.
— Ozzie Smith (@STLWizard) April 21, 2016
RIP PRINCE
— Jabari Parker (@JabariParker) April 21, 2016
Sad day! RIP Prince
RIP Prince..So bummed!!! supposed to hook up with him on Lookin for a fight Minn but he was in Europe. Amazin artist pic.twitter.com/Hh8e2juR7b
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 21, 2016
Can't believe he's gone. Heaven is purple today. #ripprince #minnesotalegend pic.twitter.com/NLs96E7h64
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) April 21, 2016
Hate to see legends pass so young! but I admire the impact they had and have on life now and forever in spirit! #RIPPrince #RIPPearl
— Emmanuel Mudiay (@emmanuelmudiay) April 21, 2016
RIP Prince. Baby you're gone much too fast
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) April 21, 2016
Prince, thank you for 3+ decades of brilliant music. #gameblouses
— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) April 21, 2016
I've listened to purple rain and raspberry beret 5 times each already.
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) April 21, 2016
No way…another legend gone
RIP Prince
— Dexter Fowler (@DexterFowler) April 21, 2016
#RIPPrince Thank you for so many great memories and performances @prince
— Evander Holyfield (@holyfield) April 21, 2016
Your legacy will live forever. God bless you and your family. Rest In Peace. #RIPPrince #GodBless
i can't believe this ……. RIP Prince
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) April 21, 2016
Damn man. RIP Prince. That's crazy
— Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) April 21, 2016
A musical genius that meant so much to our great community and the world in general! #RIPPrince
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) April 21, 2016
RIP to the legend Prince! Minnesota's very own.. You will be missed!
— Tyus Jones (@Tyusjones06) April 21, 2016
Despite everything no one can dictate who you are to other people- #RIPPrince
— Reggie Bullock (@ReggieBullock35) April 21, 2016
RIP to Prince Rogers Nelson, the greatest musician of all time. Sad day. #minnesota #goat #Purplerain
— Kris Humphries (@KrisHumphries) April 21, 2016
Lost another Minnesota legend. RIP Prince.
— Cole Aldrich (@colea45) April 21, 2016
Dozens of teams also tweeted out tributes. The reaction was particularly strong in Minnesota, where Prince was born and died. The Minnesota Timberwolves turned their website purple to honor their hometown legend, while the Minnesota Twins practically purple-ized their stadium.
.@Timberwolves turn home page purple in honor of Prince#RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/980sYSlrtg
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) April 21, 2016
Fitting that it's raining in Minneapolis today. pic.twitter.com/s5KFurDhHi
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 21, 2016
We've lost a legend way too soon. #RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/m1NLeLDDwG
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 21, 2016
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life." #RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/69M9OT7vC9
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 21, 2016
Sad to hear of the passing of a true icon. One of the very best in all of entertainment. #RIPPrince ☔️ pic.twitter.com/2IpJ3h0ueJ
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) April 21, 2016
(Photo Credit: Tim Clary, February 8, 1998) pic.twitter.com/0uq5AxugzU
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 21, 2016
Meanwhile, Prince got some play in several MLB parks Thursday night:
Kauffman is playing "Raspberry Beret" between innings. Nice touch. #RIPPrince
— Royals Review (@royalsreview) April 21, 2016
Nice that Yankee Stadium finally playing Prince. "Let's Go Crazy."
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 21, 2016
And on ESPN, SportsCenter turned the entire set purple to honor Prince.
The SportsCenter set is purple today for Prince. pic.twitter.com/hkJL3jbZtQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 21, 2016
Rest in peace, Prince.
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