:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49357905/Screen_Shot_2015-08-24_at_12.20.30_PM.0.0.png)
Dwayne "Pearl" Washington passed away on Wednesday at age 52, succumbing to the brain tumor he was diagnosed with last summer.
This is obviously an incredibly sad day for Syracuse Orange basketball and the entire Syracuse community, so let's take a moment to look at some of the reaction from all across the Syracuse spectrum.
Take special notice of the stories told by Coach Mike Hopkins and sportswriter Adam Himmelsbach. They speak to WHO this man was.
Don't ever let someone tell you it's just a game. It has the power to transform and touch many lives. Pearl Washington was proof of that.
#RememberingPearlhttps://t.co/9zr0sBXxkJ
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) April 20, 2016
There was no better guy and there’s nobody who has meant more to our basketball program than Dwayne Washington.#CuseFamily
— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) April 20, 2016
You will forever be in our hearts. We love you.
— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) April 20, 2016
Click through for Coach Hopkins's full story on Pearl, which will all display at the link.
I fell in love with Pearl in 1983 watching the Big East. He had so much charisma. An incredible presence. And obviously, incredible talent.
— Coach Mike Hopkins (@Coach_Hopkins) April 20, 2016
Pearl Washington was the nicest person I've ever met in my life! We lost an all time GREAT. You will always be with us #RIPPearl
— Gerry McNamara (@Coach_McNamara) April 20, 2016
Pearl Washington is the most popular and perhaps most important player in the history of Syracuse basketball. He'll be missed. #RIPPearl
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) April 20, 2016
So many memories of the magic Pearl Washington made on the court. But this one tops them all. https://t.co/HuzJwzlYMZ
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) April 20, 2016
For so many of us one of our all time favorites. Prayers to Pearl's family. One of our true greats. #RIPPearl https://t.co/6jiDRYDQkC
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) April 20, 2016
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pearl Washington. A legend and an icon. Our community mourns his loss. #RIPPearl #OrangeNation
— Stephanie A. Miner (@MayorMinerSYR) April 20, 2016
An unmatched flair on the court & joy for life off of it. Drew a generation of fans to Orange. A sad day. #RIPPearl https://t.co/5BZnTBrKBd
— Matt Park (@MattPark1) April 20, 2016
Remember the T-shirts, "On the eighth day, God created the Pearl."? Today He gets him back. #RIPPearl #OrangeNation pic.twitter.com/whywk7zulr
— Matt Park (@MattPark1) April 20, 2016
So sad. Devastated reading this news about our friend Pearl Washington. An icon and truly sweet man. RIP Pearl. https://t.co/BvhPYL9bnW
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) April 20, 2016
A sad, sad day. Pearl was a rock star in Cuse, but also a kind, gentle man away from the court. RIP #31 https://t.co/sYTdC8QbYd
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 20, 2016
Pearl Washington once told me, after making famous halfcourt shot, he ran straight to locker room and called family on pay phone. #RIP
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 20, 2016
A quick Pearl Washington story as my plane takes off....In high school I worked for Syracuse's parks dept. & Pearl was a supervisor...
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 20, 2016
Basically my job was to sit around with a couple other teens and play sports with kids if they came to the park. One day Pearl shows up...
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 20, 2016
And this was basically like a teen today seeing Carmelo show up in a parks dept shirt. And Pearl says how the bathroom could be cleaner.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 20, 2016
So my co-workers and I say OK. Then Pearl disappears for a bit and I go in the field house and he's in there by himself scrubbing the place
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 20, 2016
Said how he just wanted the park to look good. Then he finished, smiled & left, and the little kids there had no clue he was a hoops legend
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 20, 2016
And Pearl didn't bother telling them, or anyone really. He was Pearl the parks dept employee and was just fine that way. RIP Pearl.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 20, 2016
Syracuse Nation is grateful for everything that Pearl did and continued to do… https://t.co/iyaqAVayH6 #RIPPearl pic.twitter.com/GhhCTEbJlS
— Brandon Steiner (@BrandonSteiner) April 20, 2016
Rest In Peace to #Syracuse Legend#PearlWashington pic.twitter.com/DZuH9BVNda
— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) April 20, 2016
Other than Jim Boeheim who was more important to what Syracuse Basketball is today than the Pearl? RIP Pearl
— Brian Higgins (@BrianHigginsSU) April 20, 2016
Heaven is Orange today... Rest in Peace Pearl. pic.twitter.com/Rgfvnf3Fms
— Syracuse Memes™ (@Cusememes) April 20, 2016
RIP to a Legend on and off the court. From the day I met Pearl he was always gracious and full… https://t.co/gPkgbDA2hV
— Tyler Ennis (@tdot_ennis) April 20, 2016
Prayers to the Family, Friends, n Fans of the Great Pearl Washington! Can’t talk NYC BBall w/o Pearl! God Bless#RIP pic.twitter.com/EW162XT5M3
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) April 20, 2016
#RIPPearl A smile that lit up the Court. One @Cuse_MBB great who will be remembered for his court greatness and off the court kindness.
— Toddengel (@Toddengel) April 20, 2016
I knew it was coming, but tears are streaming down my face. My heart is broken. #RIPPearl #cusefamily
— joyce (@joycefromli) April 20, 2016
I'm glad that Syracuse was able to give him one last, great run. #RIPPearl https://t.co/Y3h1xaEMfw
— Logan Grossman (@LoganCGrossman) April 20, 2016
This hurts. RIP Pearl Washington. Syracuse Basketball is what it is now because of you. #RIPPearl
— Michael Borkowski (@MBorkowski) April 20, 2016
Sad day on the hill #RIPPearl @SyracuseU
— Adam (@AdamLabo) April 20, 2016
The feelings that Syracuse fans have for Pearl have a lot to do with the man he was off the court.(from @seankirst) https://t.co/YZUEZWwa9b
— Kevin Wall (@kwallcuse) April 20, 2016
I'd like to think this sunny day in the Cuse is just his way of letting everyone know that he's in a better place now. #RIPPearl
— Kevin Wall (@kwallcuse) April 20, 2016
Plenty more from around the sports world too. Share your own reactions below.