Craig Sager’s memorial service was held in Atlanta on Monday. His family and friends from decades of covering sports came out to say goodbye, including his long-time co-worker and friend Ernie Johnson, who delivered a touching tribute to Sager in the form of a poem.
"There's no way to gauge the days we have, no way to know how long…
But know this Craig, we'll do our best to live 'em #SagerStrong." pic.twitter.com/63ktUzU1rs— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 20, 2016
Johnson’s full eulogy has more stories about Sager.
Ernie Johnson honors his friend Craig Sager. #SagerStrong https://t.co/d157NyGNYk
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 20, 2016
NBA TV aired the service live, so don’t feel like any of the following is invasive, because the family clearly wanted the memories from Sager’s life shared with the people who knew him best and knew him from his years of working in front of the camera.
The tribute that @TurnerSportsEJ just gave for Craig Sager was absolutely perfect. #SagerStrong
— Nicholas Sciria (@Nick_Sciria) December 20, 2016
Remembering Broadcaster Craig Sager… He truly knew how to enjoy life & inspire others… There won't be another like him. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/2QW3KaJvFh
— Joe Floccari (@JoeFloccari) December 20, 2016
Touching tribute to Craig Sager @TurnerSportsEJ at this mornings funeral. His daughters and son @CraigSagerJr were remarkable. #SagerStrong
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) December 20, 2016
Craig’s daughter, Kacy Sager, nearly didn’t make it to the memorial service on time, as she was having difficulty with her flight on Frontier Airlines, an airline I’ve never heard anyone ever say anything nice about. She live-tweeted her predicament, the last thing she needed at this point in her life.
Hey @FlyFrontier, how long are you gonna keep me on hold? Maybe give me a damn estimate of how long til I can speak with a representative… https://t.co/KG2ivT9J2a
— Kacy Sager (@THESagerbomb) December 20, 2016
Hey @FlyFrontier, how long are you gonna keep me on hold? Maybe give me a damn estimate of how long til I can speak with a representative… https://t.co/KG2ivT9J2a
— Kacy Sager (@THESagerbomb) December 20, 2016
So maybe @FlyFrontier should have alerted passengers >2 minutes before boarding began that there was no plane for them to board https://t.co/0pkFxtwl2j
— Kacy Sager (@THESagerbomb) December 20, 2016
My best friend @mindeezyyy took off a day of work to fly to ATL for my dad's funeral. @FlyFrontier pushed it back 5+ hours @ the last minute https://t.co/tDiz6cFTkP
— Kacy Sager (@THESagerbomb) December 20, 2016
Frontier Airlines: The Comcast of the Skies https://t.co/mZSaE5sZdm
— Kacy Sager (@THESagerbomb) December 20, 2016
Kacy eventually got there and delivered one of the better lines to honor someone.
This broach belonged to my dad's beloved mother Coral Lea. The jaguars on his Espy's jacket were an homage to her, & I'm wearing it tomorrow pic.twitter.com/dukoB0mTQB
— Kacy Sager (@THESagerbomb) December 20, 2016
Craig Sager's daughter Kacy's response to people saying her dad lived with grace, at his memorial today pic.twitter.com/5D9n6svifT
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 20, 2016
The remembrances are still trickling out, as the service ended on Tuesday afternoon. But the memories aren’t over. His legacy on the game will be felt for a long time, and as Kobe Bryant said on Friday, Sager’s “profound impact” hasn’t even scratched the surface.
Update: There was a gathering at a bar after the memorial service, and this happened.
At the bar to celebrate Craig Sager after his memorial, and they have poured so many of his signature Bud Lights, the tap broke. pic.twitter.com/HEIigXcN5j
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) December 20, 2016
