TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager passed away on Thursday due to leukemia at 65. His death has created a ripple throughout the basketball and sporting community, with everyone from NBA coaches to media companies paying tribute to the 30-year veteran.
During the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, NBC’s Bob Costas took time to recognize Sager’s contributions to the industry and the lives he touched.
In the best sense of the word, Craig was a character. He turned the role of a sideline reporter into something distinctive. First and most obviously with his -- shall we say -- unique wardrobe choices. But second, and more importantly, with his irrepressible good nature. The joy he conveyed was every bit as important as the information he conveyed.
Sager’s life was remembered on the TNT broadcast between the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks, who took a moment of silence before the game in addition to wearing special #SagerStrong warm-up jerseys.