UNC Basketball: Social Media reacts to devastating Eric Montross news
By Jordan Falls
It was just another Monday morning until it wasn't. Shortly around 9:00 AM, the UNC Basketball office broke the college basketball universe with the devastating news that former player and radio analyst Eric Montross had passed away following a nine-month battle with cancer. Former teammates, sports analysts, and even opponents took to social media to share their condolences to the Montross family and voice just how impactful Eric was in their lives.
While we first knew him as a basketball player and a National Champion, Eric was so much more than that, and these reactions tell all you need to know about how people felt about him as a person.
Heartbroken. Eric Montross was the nicest, kindest person one could ever know. A great player and champion, husband, father, friend, and a truly wonderful, beautiful soul. RIP Eric Montross. https://t.co/fUhw41rQpp
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) December 18, 2023
Our family will be forever thankful for the long, warm friendship of Eric Montross & #HeyWoody. Eric’s kindness toward my Dad in the late years of his career and beyond meant so much. 🙏🏻 to Laura and their family, but all we will miss this special, gentle man. pic.twitter.com/FjOHw5LZwm
— 𝐖𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐦 (@WesDurham) December 18, 2023
Rest easy big fella! You will truly be missed! 🥺🙏🏽🩵 https://t.co/ZZfynIIeu5
— Brice Johnson (@bjohnson_23) December 18, 2023
Eric’s best call in my opinion. You can just feel how he cared just as much if not more than any of us. pic.twitter.com/hSizaYVYLI
— Sean (@SeanPetrizzi) December 18, 2023
Had a chance to meet Eric a few times. Just a great guy and someone who epitomized the UNC family. Gone far too soon. https://t.co/i3zNttT5aX
— Brian Barbour (@briancbarbour) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was an incredibly good person. From his playing days when he would regularly visit young people in the cancer hospital, to more recent years when he was on the board of the @BeLoudSophie foundation, he gave of himself selflessly so others could experience joy in… https://t.co/NC0Vla2myA
— Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) December 18, 2023
So sad to hear about Eric Montross. One of the kindest people I’ve ever been around. Loved his sneaky, dry humor as well. My heart aches for his beautiful family.
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) December 18, 2023
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend and Tar Heel legend Eric Montross. pic.twitter.com/myjyKeVmFG
— Kevin Guskiewicz (@KevinGuskiewicz) December 18, 2023
Gutting news to see this morning. Legions of Carolina fans will most remember Eric the player.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) December 18, 2023
I'll remember his kindness. As a newcomer to covering UNC many years ago, he made me feel welcome.
More important, he did so many good things for so many people. https://t.co/ZM6YjjpEtE
He was a mountain of a man, just based on the size of his heart and his deeds. I now know why it rained so much in Chapel Hill yesterday. This one hurts. Hug your people, Tar Heel Nation. #UNC https://t.co/KQLdl9PQJs
— Joey Powell (@Joey_Powell) December 18, 2023
So very sad to hear of the loss of Eric Montross whose contributions to the UNC community and our state went far beyond his championship basketball skills. Our deepest condolences go out to all family, friends and Tar Heels. The Big E made a big difference in this world. - RC https://t.co/LF4rZhoKsV
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) December 18, 2023
— Sean May (@BigMay42) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was one of the nicest people I've encountered in this business. Always happy to talk. Always insightful about college basketball and his beloved Tar Heels.
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) December 18, 2023
Before all of that, he was a great @MarchMadnessMBB champion.
Gone at 52 from cancer is just awful news. RIP.
Absolutely devastating news out of #UNC this morning.
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) December 18, 2023
Montross, besides being an all-time college basketball great, was one of the nicest people you could know. Always made time for autographs, interviews, anything anyone needed. Sending love and prayers to his family. https://t.co/gNv3Ti0vbH
You’ll never find a kinder, more generous human being.
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) December 18, 2023
What a life well-lived, albeit cut too short. https://t.co/brLF4NS65P
This one hurts, man. Eric was one of the nicest dudes in the industry. Spoke to him years ago for a Dean Smith story and he couldn’t have been more generous with his time. https://t.co/mPOuF428lV
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) December 18, 2023
RIP Big E 🩵🕊️ https://t.co/fDaNzMoE9r
— Marcus Ginyard (@mg1nyard) December 18, 2023
Former North Carolina star Eric Montross has passed away at 52 due to cancer, per release. Gutwrenching news. Prayers to his family.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 18, 2023
Every day is indeed a gift.
RIP Eric Montross 💚
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 18, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Montross family. pic.twitter.com/kzZbLfZzfZ
Saddened to hear the news of Eric Montross. As good an athlete he was 10x better the person. Made you feel like best friends even in brief conversations with him. May God bless his friends and family in this difficult time. 🙏🙏
— Chris_Corchiani (@Chris_Corchiani) December 18, 2023
CANCER is so VICIOUS -just took away one of the nicest guys I have ever met in my basketball journey with @espn Only 52 years old & a TERRIFIC person ex @UNC_Basketball star ERIC MONTROSS - pls God May he RIP! Absolutely heartbreaking! @UNCKirschner
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was a terrific player and a gentle giant. Stayed around the program as a broadcaster and ambassador. I will miss our bro hugs at the Dean Dome and the Final Four. Prayers to his family. May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/wZjlcylT23
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) December 18, 2023
This is awful news. I had a chance to get to know Eric Montross over the years and he was the nicest, most unassuming person you would ever meet. Just a terrific guy who always had time for anyone and everyone. This is heartbreaking to hear. https://t.co/ODOhUrTtmq
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was one of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever know. My heart aches for his family. Some people were put on this earth to help make other’s lives better. That was Eric. #RIP
— Adam Gold (@AGoldFan) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was a terrific player but as good as he was he was an even better person. Every interaction I had with him I’d walk way thinking he was genuine, sincere, smart and kind. My thoughts go out to his family and the @UNC_Basketball family https://t.co/KwkAr9C9AB
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) December 18, 2023
We want to send our deepest condolences to Eric’s family and friends. He was such a kind, good-hearted man, who touched the lives of so many in the Carolina community and beyond. We were all better for having Eric in our lives. Rest in peace, my friend 🩵🙏🩵 https://t.co/Tme4RXOapU
— Mack Brown (@CoachMackBrown) December 18, 2023
RIP Big E you will be missed my friend. Your kindness, your love for people and of course the Carolina blue blood that’s runs through you was nothing to be matched.
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) December 18, 2023
Prayers 🙏🏽 to the Montross family and my Tarheel family as we mourn the loss of a Tarheel legend…🐑🕊️
😢😢😢 one the greatest ppl to ever wear our jersey… RIP BIG E …you will be dearly missed https://t.co/9yuPfJX7vd
— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) December 18, 2023
A lot will be and should be said and written about Eric Montross but be sure to include this one by Adam Lucas. Eric was one of those rare individuals whom I don’t recall anyone saying they didn’t like. Great player, better man. Heaven got a lot better in the post today. https://t.co/U5vkZuHpAt
— Steve Kirschner (@UNCKirschner) December 18, 2023
Heaven gained a true Tar Heel last night… a genuine & kind soul, a force, a person who always made you feel like the most important one in the room.
— Erin Matson (@erinmatsonn) December 18, 2023
Your legacy will be a part of the Carolina fabric forever, Big Grits. Thank you for leading the way and inspiring me and so many… https://t.co/nnHA7WaP3p
Always greeted #EricMontross with “Hey Little Fella!!” And he would return with “What’s up Big Guy?” even though he was a full foot taller than me… It was our thing 😔… A Giant with an even bigger heart, gone too soon. Praying for his family and the @UNC_Basketball Family 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Cory Alexander (@CoryAlexanderVA) December 18, 2023
There were plenty more we could've added to this long list of reactions from former UNC basketball players, former opponents of Eric, and analysts from across the college basketball landscape, and for every story or social media post you see about how nice Eric was, it is 100% true.
Proceed with caution and have a set of tissues nearby for this one, but check out this amazing article on Eric Montross from Adam Lucas. It sums up everything as well as one probably could about what Eric meant, not only as a basketball player but as a human being.
So appreciative of everyone who has reached out and is keeping Eric's family in your thoughts and prayers.
— Adam Lucas (@jadamlucas) December 18, 2023
These next few days and weeks and months will be everyone processing this unthinkable news in their own way. Mine is writing about it.https://t.co/J76jjOFTKw
Next. UNC Basketball: Eric Montross passes away at the age of 52. UNC Basketball: Eric Montross passes away at the age of 52. dark
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