David Letterman always had a special connection to the sports world. As ESPN’s Keith Olbermann said, “If David Letterman did a sports show, he’d get the rest of us canceled or fired.”
Over the years, The Late Show featured numerous players, coaches, wrestlers, reporters, commissioners, owners, agents… a virtual who’s who of the sports world from guys like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant to Letterman’s hometown hero, Peyton Manning.
In fact, it was Manning who earned a special spot on the finale’s Top 10 with comedic icons like Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Murray.
To give you an idea of Letterman’s place in sports, take a look at all the goodbyes and memories bestowed upon him ahead of, and during, the finale:
New York Yankees
New York Mets
Michelle Beadle
Lindsey Vonn
Vince McMahon
NFL
The Seattle Seahawks
Carmelo Anthony
Sacramento Kings
Rece Davis
Rachel Nichols
Melanie Collins
MLB
WWE
Mick Foley
Amar’e Stoudemire
Indiana Pacers
NASCAR
Boston Red Sox
Brutus the Buckeye
Seth Davis
New England Patriots
Jarrett Payton
(Son of Walter Payton)