The death of musical legend Prince at his suburban Minneapolis home on Thursday at the age of 57 resonated throughout the sports world.
According to Ethan Sherwood Strauss, the Warriors’ Stephen Curry started playing Prince on a stereo during the team’s shootaround Thursday. Teammates Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala jumped in with their song choices, which included “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry” and “Raspberry Beret.”
Prince attended a Warriors game at Oracle Arena on March 3, then played a concert there the next day. That prompted these remembrances on Twitter from Ayesha Curry and Draymond Green.
💔💔💔💔 heartbroken… Just too soon. 💜💜💜💜 pic.twitter.com/GxP4RYYFPB
— Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) April 21, 2016
RIP Prince! Had the pleasure of seeing him in concert last month in Oakland. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen!!! Rest up legend!! WOW!!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) April 21, 2016
The local Minnesota pro sports teams all noted his passing on social media:
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
When doves cry, Wolves cry. #RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/YQehXYEcAe
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 21, 2016
The NHL’s Minnesota Wild turned their profile picture on both Twitter and Facebook to Prince’s signature purple.
The NFL tweeted a picture of Prince from his memorable halftime performance during Super Bowl XLI in 2007.
Rest In Peace, Prince. #SB41 pic.twitter.com/wH6tjjEYim
— NFL (@NFL) April 21, 2016
NBA commissioner Adam Silver noted Prince’s passing on Thursday: “I crossed paths with him many times during my NBA tenure. After the All-Star Game in Minneapolis, he hosted a legendary late-night party that people still talk about. On behalf of the NBA family, I want to say how sorry we are for his family and his millions of fans.”
A number of athletes with ties to Minnesota also expressed their sadness over the passing of one of the state’s most iconic musical figures:
There will never be another Prince. He was a cultural icon & a musical genius. Minneapolis & the world lost a legend today. #RIP #Prince
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) 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
RIP to the legend Prince! Minnesota’s very own.. You will be missed!
— Tyus Jones (@Tyusjones06) April 21, 2016
What a day. Prince’s legendary music will live on, but today is a huge loss for Minnesota. He was one of a kind.
— Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) April 21, 2016
There were other notable tweets from around the sports world, as well.
To the man I named my son after RIP to the great Prince
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) April 21, 2016
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
Unbelievable just heard about PRINCE. Strength and light to his family/loved ones. One of my favs and a true pioneering artist. RIP brotha.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 21, 2016
playin this for the next 3 hrs ftw pic.twitter.com/EzuHEIhuBE
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) April 21, 2016
I’ve listened to purple rain and raspberry beret 5 times each already.
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) April 21, 2016
And finally, there’s comedian Charlie Murphy, who told a memorable story about Prince playing basketball during a 2004 episode of “Chappelle’s Show.”
#RIP Prince. Your music was the soundtrack to a special time in my life.
— Charlie Murphy (@charliemurphy) April 21, 2016
