On March 21, the sports world was rocked by the sudden passing of Willis Reed, former New York Knicks star. Fans and admirers of Reed have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the beloved athlete. One fan wrote, “Willis Reed has passed away at the age of 80, A gentle giant. A huge loss for the NBA family. Rest easy, Willis.” Another shared how Reed impacted their childhood, saying, “He was undersized as a center, but no one had a bigger heart or greater desire. RIP to another piece to my youth.”
The NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement praising Reed for his leadership skills and team player mentality. He said, “He played the game with remarkable passion and determination, and his inspiring comeback Game 7 of the NBA Finals remains one of the most iconic moments in all of sports.” The Knicks organization also shared a statement on Twitter, expressing their sadness and admiration for Reed’s legacy. They wrote, “As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind – the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions.” Despite the sadness of his passing, Reed’s impact will undoubtedly live on.