Atlanta’s sports community remembers ‘dedicated’ fan Jimmy Carter

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Atlanta’s pro sports teams are paying tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100.

The Atlanta Braves called the nation’s 39th president “a testament to the best America, and Georgia, can produce.”

Carter was a longtime fan of the team, and could often be seen at games with his wife Rosalynn. He was even in attendance when his friend Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974.

“He served both his country and home state with honor his entire life,” the Braves said in a statement. “While the world knew him as a remarkable humanitarian and peacemaker, we knew him as a dedicated Braves fan and we will miss having him in the stands cheering on his Braves. Our deepest condolences to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

The Atlanta Hawks also paid tribute to Carter, calling him “represented all the best of Georgia.”

“From his rural upbringing that he never strayed from, to his passion for Atlanta sports, Carter was proud of his home state and left a legacy for Georgians to be proud of, too,” the team said. “He showed the world for a century what could be accomplished when leadership, faith, and diplomacy meet southern hospitality. He and his wife Rosalynn left Georgia and our nation better than they found it, pouring their lives into service, especially for those who could not protect or provide for themselves.

“Our deepest condolences along with our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

FULL COVERAGE: Remembering Jimmy Carter

The Atlanta Falcons honored Carter with a moment of silence before their game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.

Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL’s Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980.

Arthur Blank, who owns the Falcons and the Atlanta United soccer team, said in a statement released by both the Falcons and Atlanta United before the Falcons’ kickoff that he was deeply saddened by the loss of his dear friend and mentor, calling Carter “a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.”

“He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see amongst others,” Blank said in his statement, recalling meeting Carter at The Home Depot. “President Carter’s kind and uniting spirit touched so many lives.”

Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this story.