Legendary rapper Lil Wayne reacts to the death of Barry Melrose
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne joined the wave of tributes pouring in for Barry Melrose this week, sharing an emotional message on X after learning of the hockey analyst's death at age 70.
Melrose, the former Los Angeles Kings coach who spent 27 years as ESPN's face of hockey, died Wednesday following a battle with Parkinson's disease.
His wife, Cindy, informed longtime ESPN colleague Steve Levy of the news, which quickly spread across the sports world.
Lil Wayne, long known for his hockey fandom, did not hold back his grief.
Just saw the news abt the Legend Barry Melrose and I literally can't stop the fkn tears rn and I be damn if I try to, you're worth them all sir may you rest peacefully and may God bless your family and friends with your memories forever. Bucci,Levy,Ms Linda, my condolences.
The message name-checked several of Melrose's closest ESPN colleagues, including John Buccigross, Steve Levy and Linda Cohn, all of whom shared their own tributes in the hours after the news broke.
A Voice That Reached Beyond Hockey
Melrose's influence stretched far outside the sport itself. His flashy suits, slicked-back hair, and sharp analysis made him one of the most recognizable personalities on ESPN, and Lil Wayne's reaction underscored just how wide that reach extended.
Buccigross called Melrose his "best friend at ESPN" in an emotional post, while NHL commissioner Gary Bettman praised Melrose's ability to make every conversation about hockey more entertaining.
Wayne Gretzky, whom Melrose coached during the Kings' 1993 run to the Stanley Cup Final, also paid tribute, writing that hockey "lost an icon" and keeping Melrose's family in his thoughts.
Tributes Continue To Grow
Melrose stepped away from ESPN in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but his impact never faded from the hockey community's memory.
Fans, players, and broadcasters alike have spent the past day celebrating his career, his humor, and the way he introduced American audiences to the sport for nearly three decades.
Lil Wayne's tribute added a surprising but heartfelt layer to that outpouring, a reminder of how far Melrose's personality carried beyond the rink.
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