Former United States President Jimmy Carter watches the action between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros during Game One of the 2005 National League Division Series on Oct. 5, 2005, at Turner Field in Atlanta. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty
ATLANTA – Although many know former President Jimmy Carter from his work as a great lawyer, civil rights and housing advocate, and man of faith, one title held a special place in his heart – a lover of sports.
Carter was a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves and was often seen with his wife Rosalynn at the team’s games.
LOOK VERY MUCH Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, dies at the age of 100
He was there when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s Major League Baseball home run record at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on April 8, 1974. More than two decades later, he threw out the first pitch in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series between the Braves and the Cleveland Indians.
Even at the end of his life, Carter would always be with the team, watching games while in hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Governors Jimmy Carter (R) of Georgia and Sherman Tribbitt (C) of Delaware get a big laugh from Braves’ slugger Hank Aaron when they visit him in the clubhouse on Sept. 27, 1973, after the Braves beat the Dodgers. . (Getty Images)
“The Atlanta Braves are deeply saddened by the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” the Braves said in a statement. “President Carter was a testament to the best America, and Georgia, can produce.
“He served his country and country with honor throughout his life. While the world knew him as an amazing humanitarian and peacemaker, we knew him as a dedicated activist. of the Braves and we will miss having him in the stands at his Braves. Deepest condolences to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
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FOX 5’s Buck Lanford remembers being with Carter during Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series when the Braves’ Francisco Cabrera slid into home plate, scoring the game-winning run. last for the group.
Lanford was an intern in the athletic department at the time, and he happened to be in the same place near the team’s locker room as Carter and Evander Holyfield.
“When Sid slipped, the whole stadium erupted, and I – the student – jumped up and down celebrating with Jimmy Carter and the heavyweight champion of the world,” Lanford recalled. “Secrets didn’t care. They were jumping too.
Jimmy Carter and the NFL
Falcons-Commander’s moment of silence for Jimmy Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter was honored with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons-Washington Commanders game Sunday night.
As president, Carter made history by becoming the first to welcome a Super Bowl champion to the White House, starting a tradition that continues to this day.
Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates contacted Carter in 1980.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank released a statement before Sunday’s kickoff saying he was deeply saddened by the loss of his best friend and mentor.
“He lived his life with great social responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see in others,” said Blank. “On behalf of my family and our corporate family, we send our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. President Carter’s kind spirit and spirit of unity touched the lives of many. He was as a man of deep faith, and doing everything with principle and grace, doing things the right way for the right reasons.”
Jimmy Carter and the Hawks
Carter would cheer on the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.
The former president and first lady received a standing ovation from fans after appearing in the Hawks’ Kiss Cam on Valentine’s Day in 2021.
The Hawks responded to the news of Carter’s death by saying he “represented the best of Georgia.”
“From his rural upbringing, which he never strayed from, to his passion for Atlanta sports, Carter was proud of his country and left a legacy to the people of Georgia. to be proud of,” Hawks wrote. He showed the world for a century what could be achieved when leadership, faith, and dialogue met with the warmth of southern hospitality. He and his wife Rosalynn left Georgia and our community better than they found it, throwing themselves into service, especially for those who could. they are not safe or making ends meet, our deepest condolences and thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Source: Information for this story comes from a previous FOX 5 report and statements from the Atlanta Falcons, Braves, and Hawks.
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