I heard Michael Jackson died at approximately 5:30 PM ET. Hours later, I still don't think it's fully hit me. This was the man I idolized growing up as a kid ... I watched Moonwalker about 80 times on VHS (Joe Pesci was the villain). I once furiously outbid someone $159 for a replica Beat It jacket with 13 zippers. I actually have an 8x10 glossy of Billie Jean Michael taped next to my bedroom door.
Everyone -- from celebrities to sports stars to ordinary people -- had their way of trying to feel connected to the King of Pop. In his mere presence, fans have fainted and needed medical attention. So when news broke that Jackson had passed away, the reverberations on social media sites like Twitter were immense. Outspoken wide receiver Chad Ochocinco even went on to tweet "this is just as sad as 9/11" and then tried to play damage control after his offensive comment.
After the jump, read the emotional reactions from current and former athletes.
Chad Ochocinco (@OGOchoCinco)
"Okay, first Mrs. Fawcett now Mr. Jackson, please tell me that this is a mistaken rumor, if not this is just as sad as 9/11 ...
The 9/11 was a bit over the top, i am just in an emotional state right now, bare with me while i regroup people, be back in 10 minutes ...
Sorry 85 million times, today sucks man, i still have my jacket with the zippers on it, wow"
Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward)
"and rip micheal jackson. wut a sad day. my homies gone. clee my lil big brother tony and the legend skip. dang ...
y are people so controversial on here. i am very shocked about mj. i have every song he ever put out. i am shocked and sad ...
today isnt a good day to talk about trades. really not. im sorry. top five mj songs."
Stewart Cink (@StewartCink)
"Send me your favorite Michael Jackson moments, memories, etc. We'll let it be a cyber shrine."
Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman)
"somebody please give me the update on whats really going on? ...
omg RIP king of pop i have a event today at velocity and my tweet up at stingery this makes it REALLY hard for me what should i do? ...
ok im going to go thx for the support!!!!"
Michael Jackson Photos
FILE - In this March 5, 2009 file photo, US singer Michael Jackson is shown at a press conference in London, announcing plans to appear at the London O2 Arena in July. A New Jersey concert promoter has sued entertainer Michael Jackson for $40 million for allegedly breaching a contract to play a reunion concert with other family members. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday June 10, 2009 in federal court in Manhattan, Allgood Entertainment claims it made a deal with Jackson's then-manager to produce a reunion concert with the Jackson family this summer. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, file)
AP
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Jackson buying Pierre Jean Van Der Ouderaa reproductions (expensive copies of Xvi and XVII century flamish painting) and Christofle silverware (overprice) in Beverly Hills April 21, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Fabio/X17online.com
Michael Strahan (@MichaelStrahan)
"He went into Cardiac arrest and was found unconscious!! Some reports that he died but not sure ...
@THE_REAL_SHAQ not looking good ...
Man!!! Rest in Peace Michael Jackson!! Shocking........"
Shaquille O'Neal (@THE_REAL_SHAQ)
"is it true about michael ...
aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh dam dam dam"
Andy Roddick (@andyroddick)
"oh my lord..... michael jackson died........ RIP sad and surreal ...
regardless of what u think of him he was completely revolutionary and will be missed"
Michelle Wie (@themichellewie)"Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett passed away today?!?!??!?!?! what a sadddd sadd day. may you both rest in peace."
Lamar Odom (@RealLamarOdom)
"My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Jackson and his family. He is a legend. King of Pop."
Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird)
"Listen, my Dad worked for Michael for many years. My thought and prayers are with the Jackson family, and Michael's children..a tragedy"
Charlie Villanueva (@CV31)
"I'm blown away the TRUE King of Pop, RIP, remember that Biggie line "I perform like Mike Anyone - Tyson, Jordan, Jackson", MJ best all time."
Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter)
"tragic news about Michael Jackson, what a pop legend. such a shame to see him pass so early. may you rest in peace Michael."
Warren Sapp (@QBKILLA)
"Micheal Jackson Dead Say It Ain't So!!! ...
5:42pm/Est Micheal Jackson Dead! Damn It Man!! Month of Silence And "OFF THE WALL" on Repeat!!! ...
very SAD DAY in This Great Country Of Ours!!! ...
@richeisen No LUV For Micheal Jackson?? Come On Rich??"
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman)
"Mourning the loss of the greatest pop star and icon of my lifetime. Michael Jackson was truly the best. I wish his family well."
Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis)
"Rip mike Jackson! ...
Man I'm sad mike is going"
Bernard Berrian (@B_Twice)
"Damn not Mike!! ...
1st Farrah Fawcett, now the King of pop!! Plus, they say these things always happens in three's. Sad day!!"
Morgan Pressel (@morganpressel)
"I guess everyone else just found out too...Michael Jackson died?? Not quite sure why I'm so shocked but I am..."
Rick Fox (@Rickafox)
"Sad day: Michael Jackson/Farah Fawcett/Ed McMahon all died-- I may have 3 rings but sometimes things in 3's can suck R.I.P. ...
Sending a prayer the way of the Jackson Family...may the love and support for Michael spread to them over these very difficult times"
Nick Barnett (@NickBarnett)
"WHAT THE F...... MICHAEL JACKSON JUST DIED???????? WHAT ...
Am sad now!!! wow"
Andre Iguodala (@AI9)
"Rest in peace michael jackson..."
Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh)
"RIP Michael Jackson"
Allan Houston (@allan_houston)
"Gotta say RIP MJ!"
Christina Kim (@TheChristinaKim)
"R.I.P. Michael Jackson. You were a musical icon, a genius in your own right. You inspired millions and changed the world. Youl be missed ...
Super RAWRS to the skies, for wherever he may be, he's touched so many lives and inspired millions!"
Comments (Page 1 of 3)
I was ten when Thriller was released. Today I morn my favorite artist and the part of my childhood that went with him!! Prayers to his family, friends and fans!!
Michael you are very loved and missed
What a shock! The king of pop is gone! But his memory will live with us through his songs!
Michael
http://invetrics.com
Ou are so right Mike. MJ will definitely live on forever through his music and videos. A tribute to his life: http://tinyurl.com/MichaelJacksonPortal never forget!
the best of all time. I loved Micheal. Rest in Peace Micheal you will be missed.
This guy was and still is a LEGEND..Steve above post5 and Lakergregg post 2 you both are sad people..We all know people in the spotlight like Michael Jackson are always on the list for people looking to make a fast BUCK ,So grow up people HAVE SOME RESPECT and then GET SOME SELF RESPECT..NOW He will be missed by millions and his music will live on..My prayers go out to his family Bsest Regards Steve Dublin Ireland
Talent notwithstanding, I find it hard to eulogize a pedophile who denounced his own heritage.
SO PEOPLE HAVE THE NERVE TO CALL THAT MAN A PEDOPHILE THAT MAN STARTED SINGING WHEN MOST OF US WERE NOT EVEN BORN YET I WAS BORN IN 1960 AND MICHEAL JACKSON AND FARRAH ARE BOTH ICONS AND THEY WILL BE FOREVER IN MY AND MANY OTHER THEY MADE THERE BAD AND GOODS IN LIFE AND SHOULD NOT EVER BE DISRESPECTED AT ALL WHAT SO EVER WE NOW MUST MORN THERE PASSING AS THEY WERE THE BEST ENTERTAINERS WE WILL BE JOINING THEM WHEN OUR TIME COMES RIP MICHEAL AND FARRAH I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN I LOVE YOU BOTH FOR SURELY I WILL SEE YOU SOON AARON KING
WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN. IT IS BAD ENOUGH TO
SLAM PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE ALIVE, NOW THEY ARE
AT PEACE, LET THEM REST IN PEACE
Just one less child molester.
Gary how do you really know he messed with these kids you dont know what happen behind close doors . How do we know that you take it up the ass
dont talk abt. micheal, you's the faggit GARY! U, STEVEN, Mybasketballgirl, keithstbird, Warren D, all U people r the real faggits for talking bad abt. Micheal Jackson, If i saw u on the street i'd beat the hell outta all u little punks, Micheal was the greatest musician of all time, all u ppl talkn crap will get beat dwn in the streets!
TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE
Thinking on my own life, and events that I fondly remember. Michael Jackson was and will always be a key componant in the soundtrack. His showmanship was 2nd to none, and his music was to our generation a source of pride and joy. He set records and standards in music that will never be equaled. The release of a new MJ video was a media event, and his commitment to excellence was legendary. No matter what events or alligations that may have been attribited to him, it was his music, his wonderful, plaintive, soulful voice. And Michael WAS soulful, that will always be remembered and loved. To have a worldwide following of that magnitude demonstraed a man of the Heart who reached straight into the hearts of others. Aretha is our soul, Luther was our Romance, but Michael was our Heart. The best part of it
Who cares seriously he was nobody special just a child molester and thats about it big deal hes dead booo hooo
10 minutes after your pathetic a** is lowered into the ground - NOBODY on this planet will know OR CARE! And you know this - that's why your life sucks like a Hoover now! LOL
post #6: what's worse? me calling him what he is, a pedophile.
or
you defending said pedophile and being so shallow as to only think about the music that you enjoyed.
you should show some respect for the children who he molested and screwed up psychologically.
and since I can care less about child molesters, I don't give a rats ass that Michael Jackson is dead.
just because you are dead doesn't mean I can't criticize you for raping little kids.
by your rationale no one should ever say anything bad about Hitler either.
you were wrong for speaking ill about someone who died, just because you think the thought doesnt mean you need to share it with the rest of us
sorry your majesty, but I don't share the same archaic beliefs that you do.
the guy was a pedophile, dead or not he was a colossal prick.
he may have made good music but he was a failure of a human being
the people who are all mourning today make me sick.
its disgusting.
THE GUY FONDLED AND GROPED AND MOLESTED LITTLE KIDS.
what aren't you idiots getting? no amount of musical genius can make up for that. NONE
I agree. Despite all his talent, he was a CHILD MOLESTER! He will be remembered more for the sick things he did to kids than any of his music!!