James Gandolfini: Sports World Reacts To Death Of ‘Sopranos’ Star

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — James Gandolfini died on Wednesday at 51. The world lost a great actor, Jersey guy and sports fan.

News of “The Sopranos” star’s passing spread quickly on Twitter, which became a place of mourning — even if your feed was exclusively sports-related.

That’s not just because of Gandolfini’s breakout role as Tony Soprano. He was a bona fide sports fan, a big booster for Rutgers athletics, a Jets guy.

In many ways, he was one of us.

Here’s just some of the reaction from the sports world:

We're deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our friend James Gandolfini. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & friends.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 20, 2013

Rest in Peace, James Gandolfini. #Rutgers class of '83 and friend of #RFootball. Always part of #RFamily. pic.twitter.com/o3UlDPK1mE

— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) June 20, 2013

PHOTO: #NYR fond memory of James Gandolfini & cast of The Sopranos from Adam Graves Night @TheGarden. Rest in peace. http://t.co/ulCiZ9azuS

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 20, 2013

Wasn't supposed to end this way or so soon for James Gandolfini. Wow.

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) June 19, 2013

James Gandolfini would occasionally come to Knicks games. He'd sit in the third row, very low key. Nice man and very soft spoken.

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) June 19, 2013