Renowned for his incredible batting skills—Aaron ranks second all-time in MLB history for career home runs, with a total of 755—the man known as “Hammerin’ Hank” was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Though he retired in 1976, Aaron has remained one of the game’s most idolized players for his life on and off the field.

The 25-time MLB All-Star was on the mind of sports fans everywhere on Friday, and many took to Twitter to express their grief and condolences over his death. Sports journalists and players alike were quick to share tributes explaining how Aaron affected their lives.

Current New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman shared a photo of Aaron on Twitter with a sweet note: “RIP Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron! Sad sad day. Thankful for your heroism!”

Wrestler the Iron Sheik spoke up in all caps. “HANK AARON IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE. YOU WERE THE HOME RUN KING ON THE FIELD AND GENTLEMAN KING OFF THE FIELD,” his tweet reads. “MANY GOOD TIMES WHEN WE SEE YOU IN THE ATLANTA THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES BUBBA.”

People outside of the sports world paid their respects as well. Westworld star Jeffrey Wright chimed in, tweeting, “Younger generations may not appreciate what Hank Aaron and that moment 47 years ago meant - a massive cultural statement made against much resistance but with the whole of America watching. I can never forget. RIP.”

While Aaron was widely respected and praised for his incredible baseball talents, his legacy also extends off the field. As a Black man in baseball, Aaron was on the receiving end of all kinds of hateful, racist remarks and death threats.

NFL star Russel Wilson thanked Aaron for his influence outside of the game. “Hank… my dad and Grandfather raved about you. Thanks for changing the game of baseball… but more importantly thanks for bringing America together through love in a time of such great hate.”

When he retired from baseball as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, Aaron requested that a charity fund be started in his name to benefit young people in the Wisconsin city. Now known as the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Fund, the initiative aims to help low-income children finance and develop talents and extracurricular activities. The organization also offers financial management skills, as each child scholarship recipient is paired with a mentoring adult who will help them budget their award.