Matthew Perry’s sudden death brings grief to the sports world: Friends actor, former junior tennis star and die-hard NHL fan remembered as ‘more than Chandler Bing’ by ESPN’s Robert Griffin III
- The Nashville Predators organist played the Friends theme in Perry’s honor
- ESPN’s Robert Griffin III wrote a heartfelt social media post about the actor
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Athletes and sports fans are reacting to the sudden death of former Friends actor Matthew Perry, who reportedly drowned at his Los Angeles home on Saturday.
“Matthew Perry was more than Chandler Bing,” former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote on X. “He was the one who made Friends go. Sad to hear of his passing, but grateful for the memories he gave us. Rest in peace.’
The 54-year-old American-Canadian actor was known as a diehard hockey fan, which prompted the Nashville Predators organist to play the Friends theme song during Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Perry’s favorite club was the Ottawa Senators, and he even managed to wear their logo in his hit 2000 comedy, The Whole Nine Yards.
The club honored Perry on social media following news of his passing: ‘Saddened to learn of the passing of Matthew Perry, one of Ottawa’s proudest sons and the biggest hockey fan.’
Matthew Perry and guests attend the 2012 New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils playoff game
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote that Matthew Perry was more than Chandler
Matthew Perry (left) managed to sneak an Ottawa Senators logo into the Whole Nine Yards
Matthew Perry also threw out the first pitch for an LA Dodgers game in 2012
Golden State Warriors owner Peter Guber and actor Matthew Perry watch a game in 2013
WWE superstar Alexa Bliss and former champion posted a tribute to Perry on her Instagram
He also made regular appearances in the NHL over the years, attending New York Rangers games at Madison Square Garden and also watching the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks in Southern California.
But Perry was more than just a hockey fan.
He threw out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game in 2012 and was also known to support the New England Patriots, according to Paramount.
Additionally, Perry was often seen at Los Angeles Lakers games during the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O’Neal years in the early 2000s.
And Perry didn’t just watch sports. Born in Massachusetts and raised in Ontario, Perry became one of the top-ranked Canadian junior players in his youth.
“I had to succeed at whatever I did so I could feel better about myself,” Perry said The New York Times in 2002. “I had an incredible drive on the tennis court, and that translated into acting.”
Ultimately, Perry finished ranked 17th nationally in singles and third in doubles before acting became his main focus.