Former President Jimmy Carter was remembered in the sports world on Sunday after his death was announced at the age of 100.
The Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons were among those who remembered Carter in statements posted on social media.
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Former President Jimmy Carter attends the playoff game between the Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field in Atlanta on October 5, 2012. (Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)
“The Atlanta Braves are deeply saddened by the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” the Braves said. “President Carter was a testament to the best that America and Georgia can produce.
“He served his country and his home state with honor throughout his life. While the world knew him as a notable humanitarian and peacemaker, we knew him as a dedicated Braves fan and will miss having him in the stands cheering on his Braves.
“Our deepest condolences to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
The lifelong Braves fan was the first president to welcome a Super Bowl champion to the White House, starting a time-honored tradition that has lasted throughout current President Biden’s administration. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates visited in 1980 at the same time.
Former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter watch a game between the Braves and the Detroit Tigers at Turner Field in Atlanta on October 2, 2016. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
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He was also present when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s major league home run record with his 715th home run on April 8, 1974. He threw out the first pitch in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series.
Carter was president when the United States announced a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow as part of a protest against the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank remembered Carter as an “inspiring global humanitarian.”
“He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to bring about the change he wanted to see among others,” Blank said. “On behalf of my family and our family of companies, we send our deepest condolences to his loved ones.
“President Carter’s kind and unifying spirit touched many lives. He was a man of deep faith and did everything with principle and grace, doing things the right way and for the right reasons.”
Atlanta Braves outfielder Hank Aaron, his wife, Billye Williams, and Jimmy Carter appear after Aaron broke the all-time home run record on April 8, 1974. (Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports)
Carter served one term as president. He entered palliative care in February 2023.
