Sports world reacts after death of Seahawks, Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen
Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen died on Monday from complications of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 65.
Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, has long been involved in the sports world in the Pacific Northwest. Allen purchased the Trail Blazers in 1988 and then the Seahawks in 1997, where he led them to three Super Bowl appearances and a championship in 2014.
Many in the sports world — including coaches, current and former players and more — took to social media on Monday to remember the longtime owner.
Deeply saddened by the passing of @PaulGAllen. I’ll miss him greatly. His gracious leadership and tremendous inspiration will never be forgotten.
The world is a better place because of Paul’s passion, commitment, and selflessness. His legacy will live on forever.
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) October 15, 2018
We miss you.
We thank you.
We love you. pic.twitter.com/rxkn1IjJ0R— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 15, 2018
Big dog rest easy as you go home @PaulGAllen prayers for your family🙏🏾
— Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) October 15, 2018
We have lost a friend and a giant. Mr. Allen, thank you for your extraordinary vision, your abundant generosity and for believing in all of us. By your example, you made us all better, kinder. May you Rest In Peace. Go Hawks! pic.twitter.com/qcRUt3ko6j
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) October 16, 2018
My condolences to Paul Allen the @trailblazers owner. I pray for strength in a time for his family. He was a visionary and will be missed. @NBA
— Corey Maggette (@Corey_Maggette) October 15, 2018
Sadden to hear the news about Mr. Paul Allen. He was a great person and will be missed!
— Dion Bailey (@dbailey_18) October 15, 2018
You will be truly Missed @PaulGAllen. Thanks for your Genuine Love for the Unfortunate across The World!!! https://t.co/3T7ZyX7Jdk
— Leon Washington (@Leon_Washington) October 15, 2018
RIP to the man in charge of it all, Mr. Paul Allen. I hope we sent you out with high praises with our victory yesterday in London. You with the most high now, no more pain required.
— Frank Clark (@TheRealFrankC_) October 15, 2018
Rip Mr Paul Allen 🙏🏾 I sincerely thank you for all your sacrifices and hard work. You changed countless lives and it’s greatly appreciated!
— Bradley McDougald (@BabyLead) October 15, 2018
RIP Paul Allen. Gone way too soon. Thank you so much for your many contributions to society and to the sports world pic.twitter.com/7ITQuHpAMT
— Duane Brown (@DuaneBrown76) October 15, 2018
I was only on the Seahawks for 3 months but he was the only owner (other than Robert Kraft) that made sure to meet me and learn my name… amazing man. https://t.co/Wg8j9aisKe
— FRAN¢ 🎤 (@AJFrancis410) October 15, 2018
Rest Easy @PaulGAllen Praying 4 you & your family. Appreciate everything that you did 🙏🏾
— Bobby Wagner (@Bwagz) October 15, 2018
Plenty of fellow owners, teams and officials across both leagues took to Twitter, too.
A statement from Redskins Owner Dan Snyder. pic.twitter.com/S1jAsepV48
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) October 15, 2018
Rest In Peace, Paul Allen. pic.twitter.com/l03ZfAZmyh
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2018
Paul was a truly wonderful, bright and inspiring person—- and a great friend. I will miss him https://t.co/HYhtgZGo8C
— Steve Ballmer (@Steven_Ballmer) October 15, 2018
RIP Paul. You were a good man and will be missed. Rock and Roll Heaven just got a lot better https://t.co/bOSmF5Dcqi
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) October 15, 2018
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement today regarding the passing of Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen: pic.twitter.com/cXHQiUqnjQ
— NBA (@NBA) October 15, 2018
“Paul Allen was the ultimate trail blazer — in business, philanthropy and in sports,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As one of the longest-tenured owners in the NBA, Paul brought a sense of discovery and vision to every league matter large and small … He was a valued voice who challenged our assumptions and conventional wisdom and one we will deeply miss as we start a new season without him.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a similar statement.
“Paul Allen was the driving force behind keeping the NFL in the Pacific Northwest. His vision led to the construction of CenturyLink Field and the building of a team that played in three Super Bowls, winning the championship in Super Bowl XLVIII,” Goodell said. “The raising of the ’12th Man’ flag at the start of every Seahawks home game was Paul’s tribute to the extraordinary fan base in the Seattle community.
“His passion for the game, combined with his quiet determination, led to a model organization on and off the field. He worked tirelessly alongside our medical advisers to identify new ways to make the game safer and protect our players from unnecessary risk. I personally valued Paul’s advice on subjects ranging from collective bargaining to bringing technology to our game.
“Our league is better for Paul Allen having been a part of it and the entire NFL sends its deepest condolences to Paul’s family and to the Seahawks organization.”
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