Former players react to Pat Summitt’s death with Twitter tributes
![Former players react to Pat Summitt’s death with Twitter tributes Former players react to Pat Summitt’s death with Twitter tributes](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTY4MTU2NDQzNjA5MzQzMzYw/pat-summitt-dies-tributes-twitterjpg.jpg)
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Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt has passed away at the age of 64 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, her family announced in a statement on Tuesday.
The news comes a few days after it was revealed that Summitt had been joined by family, friends and former players at the retirement home she had been living at since January.
Her son Tyler called his mother a “hero and a mentor” in his statement on her passing, and Tennessee director of women’s athletics Joan Cronan remembered her as “the most courageous person [she’s] ever known.”
“As you know I worked with Pat for over 30 years,” Cronan said. “People would refer to me as her boss and I always remarked, Pat Summitt has no boss. She was the ultimate leader who led by example with strength, character and integrity but also with care. She loved her family and players with a fierceness equalled only by that renowned stare of hers.”
Several women’s basketball players and coaches took to Twitter to remember the Lady Vols legend:
#Pat ...Unparalleled Impact https://t.co/LX1WpJcw76 pic.twitter.com/jAROi4AZ5S
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) June 28, 2016
Blessed to be coached and mentored by a trail blazer! She changed the world 1 by 1. #greatness#Legend#161💪🏾🏀 pic.twitter.com/KXktr8vBiK
— Jody Adams (@coachjodyadams) June 27, 2016
Wow, just woke up to some shocking news. #RIP to the pioneer of women's basketball, Pat Summitt. A legend. Thank you. You will be missed.
— Stewie (@breannastewart) June 28, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the Summit family & the many players that got the chance to play for such an amazing woman. #RIPPatSummitt
— Monique Currie (@Mocurrie25) June 28, 2016
The breadth of your impact on people and women's basketball is unmeasurable❤️ 🏀 Thank You Pat Summitt
— Katie Smith - OLY (@katiesmith30) June 28, 2016
This is a sad day in the basketball community. Thank you Pat Summitt for everything you've done for our game.
— Lindsey Harding (@Lindsey_Harding) June 28, 2016
What she did and what she stands for, Pat Summit is a legend. Rest in peace #PrayForPat
— stefanie dolson (@bigmamastef) June 28, 2016
She made an immeasurable contribution to our game, may she rest in peace.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 28, 2016
Thank you, Pat Summitt. pic.twitter.com/TzGKxSBm4S
Rip to one of the most legendary coaches the women's game has ever seen. Thank you for all you have done for our game! #RIPPatSummitt
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) June 28, 2016
A pioneer . A legend. A winner. You will truly be missed ! Thank you for all you have done for the game of basketball ! #RIPPatSummitt
— Tiffany Mitchell (@TiffMitch25) June 28, 2016
Pat Summitt changed the game in so many ways. She broke records and set the standard. Rest in Peace Pat, prayers to her family & friends 🙏🏽
— Kiah Stokes (@kstokes41) June 28, 2016
RIP Coach Pat Summit 🙏🏾 you set the standard for the women's game of basketball and your legacy will always live on. 🏀🏀🏀
— Allison Hightower (@alleycat23) June 28, 2016
Thank you, Pat Summitt. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Your impact for women is immeasurable. pic.twitter.com/iDYX2ex7Xy
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 28, 2016
Thank you Pat Summitt for your commitment, passion and unapologetic love for the game! #RWTD #ThankYouPat pic.twitter.com/q6QTIORd20
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) June 28, 2016
Coach. Mentor. Trailblazer. Thank you for everything you did for our game. Rest in peace, Pat Summitt. pic.twitter.com/85Rr1MYMTK
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 28, 2016
Thank you Pat Summitt for your contributions to women's basketball! #RIPPatSummitt pic.twitter.com/Gx24xPin5v
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) June 28, 2016
.@WNBAPrez, Lisa Borders statement on the passing of coaching legend, Pat Summitt. pic.twitter.com/RInn0p3jJ2
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 28, 2016
• Peyton Manning on Pat Summitt: I felt like she was one of my coaches
Former Denver Broncos and Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, who was close with Summitt, also shared his thoughts.
Statement from Peyton Manning on the passing of Pat Summitt. pic.twitter.com/M9AJ7UlWpi
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) June 28, 2016
Coaches and players from other programs posted tributes as well.
My heart is broken .... R.I.P Pat Summit To a legend you will be missed so much. The basketball world loves you and will miss you dearly ❤️
— Khadijah Sessions (@Ksessions_05) June 28, 2016
A giant has left our world. Pat Summit set the standard for all present day Bball coaches. There will never be another. Prayers up!!
— Lisa Boyer (@Coachboyer) June 28, 2016
A sad day in my life and the entire WBB community-Pat Summit thank you for sharing your passion and love for the game with all of us. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 28, 2016
Condolences to the family of Pat Summitt -- here are thoughts from @DavidCutcliffe: pic.twitter.com/pvynxY64NQ
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) June 28, 2016
Farewell @patsummitt. You forever changed the game as well as countless lives. #RIP pic.twitter.com/ndOLKTwh6r
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) June 28, 2016
There is so much to respect about Pat Summitt, but the way her players and colleagues loved her is the most inspiring to me. #PatSummitt
— Kurt Roper (@CoachKurtRoper) June 28, 2016
She coached young women to success. She taught us all how to lead. #RIPPat
— Charles Bloom (@CharlesBloomSC) June 28, 2016
WOW wanna send my prayers and thoughts to both Summitt and Ryan's can't imagine what those families are feeling. #TWOLEGENDS #VOLS #BEARS
— CJ SPILLER (@CJSPILLER) June 28, 2016
Rest in Peace Pat Summitt pic.twitter.com/WQpGX7xRsH
— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) June 28, 2016
Steve Spurrier: "She sort of always liked me for some reason, and I always liked her. Winners admire winners." https://t.co/zkVPHFz4DH
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) June 27, 2016
Dang Pat Summitt too!! Wow man!! We definitely lost a legend!! Loved her as a coach and person!! Prayers out to her family this a.m.
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) June 28, 2016
Crappy feeling to wake up and hear of the passing of @patsummitt. She was a hell of a winner. #RIPPat #GoVols #RockyTop
— Ryan Bedford (@RyanOBedford) June 28, 2016
Our deepest condolences to the families of two of the greatest minds in sports, Pat Summitt and Buddy Ryan.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 28, 2016
Our hearts go out this morning to the families and friends of two sports legends and innovators, Pat Summitt and Buddy Ryan.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) June 28, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of two very inspiring coaches: Pat Summitt & Buddy Ryan.
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) June 28, 2016
During her 38-year career as the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols, Summitt amassed 1,098 wins, the most ever for a college basketball coach.