Former players react to Pat Summitt’s death with Twitter tributes
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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:
• 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.
Coaches and players from other programs posted tributes as well.
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.
