The sports world is joining the rest of the world in mourning the death of James Earl Jones.
The legendary actor Jones died on Monday at the age of 93. Jones’ representative Barry McPherson confirmed the news in a statement.
“He passed this morning surrounded by his loved ones,” McPherson said of Jones, per USA Today. “He was a great man.”
With a career spanning over six decades, Jones was beloved for his many iconic roles in film, including as the unforgettable voice of Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise as well as the voice of Mufasa in “The Lion King.”
Many also paid tribute to Jones’ illustrious work in sports films. He will always be revered for his parts in the baseball movies “Field of Dreams” (as author and activist Terence Mann) and “The Sandlot” (as Mr. Mertle, the blind owner of the fearsome dog The Beast). Jones also had several other parts in sports movies over the years, including the lead role in the boxing drama “The Great White Hope” and a featured role in the basketball film “Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault.”
Here were some of the tributes that focused on Jones’ memorable sports-themed work.
RIP James Earl Jones pic.twitter.com/cCh3D4mkrl
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 9, 2024
James Earl Jones was phenomenal when he played Mr. Mertle in the Sandlot and was telling stories of playing in the Negro Leagues.#RIPJamesEarlJones
— Gershon Rabinowitz (@GershOnline) September 9, 2024
James Earl Jones and Muhammad Ali together working on ‘The Great White Hope' at 20th Century Fox Studios – Los Angeles in 1968.
RIP JAMES EARL JONES (1931-2024) pic.twitter.com/mhdBGfntQj
— Michael Warburton (@TheMonologist) September 9, 2024
RIP James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who memorably appeared in the iconic baseball movies "Field of Dreams" and "The Sandlot"
Jones gave a moving recitation of our National Anthem at the 1993 MLB All-Star Game in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/1rFfxe5IFY
— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2024
With unforgettable roles in “Conan the Barbarian,” “Coming to America,” “The Hunt For Red October,” and so many other movies as well, Jones was as big of a legend as they come. His death comes several months after we lost another acting great also beloved for his many sports-themed parts.
