Peyton Manning statement on Pat Summitt’s passing

The sports world lost another legendary figure with the passing of former Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt and another former Vol legend, Peyton Manning, paid tribute.

The sports world lost the winningest women’s basketball coach of all-time with the passing of former Tennessee Volunteers head coach Pat Summitt. The eight-time national champion battled leaves behind an incredible legacy as one of the greatest teachers, motivators and winners in any sport in any era.

She developed and coached some of the best women’s basketball players to ever play the game, including Candace Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings, among many others, and may be the only person who can trump Peyton Manning when it comes to Tennessee royalty.

Manning would agree with that sentiment and released a lengthy statement following her passing on Tuesday where he tells of confiding in Summitt after his junior season when he contemplated entering the NFL Draft. Manning ultimately returned for his senior year, so it would seem Summitt had a significant part in that decision.

More saturday blitz: 50 Best SEC Football Players of All-Time

Manning also spoke glowingly about Summitt’s impact on her players on and off the court and how much joy he got from watching her teams play.

Manning also says Summitt could have coached the men’s game because she was just an outstanding coach., “It would have been a great experience to play for her. She could have coached any team, any sport, men’s or women’s. It wouldn’t have mattered because Pat could flat out coach.”

“It would have been a great experience to play for her. She could have coached any team, any sport, men’s or women’s. It wouldn’t have mattered because Pat could flat out coach.”

You can read the full statement from Peyton Manning on the passing of Pat Summitt below, courtesy of CNN’s Diane Gallagher.

Rest in peace, Pat Summitt.

The game of basketball is forever thankful for your impact on the sport.