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
Our wonderful city won't quite be the same without @Letterman. #ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/OEp2QOdee1
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 20, 2015
New York Mets
#ThanksDave for all the laughs. We look back at #DavidWright’s visits to @Letterman. Photos >> http://t.co/1SonG4cChd pic.twitter.com/pfPkPnApqm
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 20, 2015
Michelle Beadle
Letterman made TV look easy. And kept a nice cold studio. #ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/G2Ss7Q5uZP
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) May 21, 2015
Lindsey Vonn
#tb to that time I explained skiing to @DavidLetterman . Congrats on an amazing career and enjoy the next chapter! pic.twitter.com/qk8e3MZA2H
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) May 21, 2015
Vince McMahon
Congratulations to David @Letterman, a true friend of @WWE. #30years #ThanksDave
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) May 20, 2015
NFL
When @Letterman first debuted, the @49ers had just won their 1st Super Bowl, LA still had an NFL team & Peyton was 5 years old.#ThanksDave
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 21, 2015
The Seattle Seahawks
To the world champ of late shows: #ThanksDave @Letterman.https://t.co/AoG07bGVpA
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 21, 2015
Carmelo Anthony
Sacramento Kings
https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/601266176279339008
Rece Davis
Perfect, sincere ending from David Letterman. Not sappy, but heartfelt with healthy dose of humor. Quintessential Dave. Legend. #ThanksDave
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) May 21, 2015
Rachel Nichols
Hey Dave, thanks for that whole "totally shaping my teenage and college years" thing. You will be missed. #Letterman pic.twitter.com/O05Y0nwf7B
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 21, 2015
Melanie Collins
Is someone chopping onions? In my bed? @Letterman To his wife and son: "I love you. And that's all that matters." #ThanksDave
— Melanie Collins (@Melanie_Collins) May 21, 2015
MLB
#ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/rdUx8yORnU
— MLB (@MLB) May 21, 2015
WWE
#ThanksDave!@Letterman #WWE #AndreTheGiant pic.twitter.com/ZtMlUmCy9s
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 21, 2015
Mick Foley
https://twitter.com/realmickfoley/status/601229930148528129
Amar’e Stoudemire
Congrats @Letterman on a long successful career. Always a pleasure with this guy. #ThanksDave https://t.co/ofCPQQJok3 pic.twitter.com/jSQZTTSQsw
— Amar'e Stoudemire MBA (@Amareisreal) May 21, 2015
Indiana Pacers
From your hometown team, #ThanksDave for countless memorable moments. This is one of our favorites: https://t.co/bKtanAsjGd @Letterman
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 21, 2015
NASCAR
With @Letterman's last show, here are our Top 10 favorite #NASCAR appearances on his show: http://t.co/P8mLrGkNVZ pic.twitter.com/Q5vNlDzy13
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 21, 2015
Boston Red Sox
Congratulations @Letterman! #ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/zDkauH7LWl
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 21, 2015
Brutus the Buckeye
Here's to you Dave 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 @Letterman #LettermanFinale #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/az6cXO9a8J
— Brutus Buckeye 🌰 (@Brutus_Buckeye) May 21, 2015
Seth Davis
For those of us of a certain age watching @Letterman wind this down is kinda tough. We were raised on him. Now he's leaving and we're old.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) May 21, 2015
New England Patriots
A look back at the #Patriots on @Letterman: http://t.co/UUfh4vBtrr pic.twitter.com/oS7ADFzJT3
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 21, 2015
Jarrett Payton
(Son of Walter Payton)
My pop appeared on @Letterman back in 1984. 2 legends & 1 handshake. #ThanksDave @walterpayton #Bears pic.twitter.com/2REojpeswU
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) May 21, 2015
Alexi Lalas
On July 6th, 1994 @Letterman gave me a trim. #ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/wf8wpb6NfL
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) May 20, 2015
Keith Olbermann
A farewell to The Man next on espn2 #ThanksDave #Letterman pic.twitter.com/pR9kwaP28w
— Keith Olbermann⌚️ (@KeithOlbermann) May 20, 2015
Shaun White
Don't go! @Letterman pic.twitter.com/UI5dOoVoUG
— Shaun White (@shaunwhite) May 20, 2015
Denver Broncos
The last time Peyton visited @Letterman, the two tossed footballs at #NYC taxis. (Photo: @CBS)#ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/efy2uy2zcr
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 21, 2015
Pittsburgh Steelers
Thank you @Letterman Show for all of the wonderful memories, especially this one with @_BigBen7. #ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/xgqztHXvER
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 21, 2015
Martin Brodeur
Congrats to David @Letterman on an amazing career! Photo on set from 2000. pic.twitter.com/GbXvexM1FE
— Martin Brodeur (@MartinBrodeur) May 20, 2015
New York Knicks
#ThanksDave @Letterman from the #Knicks!https://t.co/rtYtzcGQc0 pic.twitter.com/ckSWnUJBza
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 20, 2015
Brian Kelly
Bittersweet to see funniest guy (Brandon Newman) I've ever coached end his run working at @Letterman#40YearDecision pic.twitter.com/vMgDH6R5cs
— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) May 20, 2015
Reggie Miller
@Letterman, job well done and thank you for allowing me to bring you cookies from Mama Letterman.. You're an All-Time great Hoosier. #TopTen
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) May 20, 2015
NBA
Farewell, Mr. @Letterman. You were a true fan of the NBA …http://t.co/jhcltB7vlw #AllBall #ThanksDave pic.twitter.com/Zg49ViFtBS
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) May 20, 2015
Rich Eisen
One of my most prized possessions: The cue cards David @Letterman used to introduce me on Late Show, April 27, 2011 pic.twitter.com/ZoRkiZVBbQ
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) May 20, 2015
Adam Schefter
Some last words from Late Show's David Letterman: "If you do good things for people it will never stop making you feel good about yourself."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2015
And, of course, Darren Rovell had to ruin it and talk about money.
Net worth of people who read the Top 10 list tonight on Letterman is about $1.9 billion. Jerry Seinfeld alone at $900 million.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 21, 2015
