Athletes react to the sudden passing of Rasual Butler

Rasual Butler was somewhat of a journeyman in the NBA, which meant he was able to touch a lot of lives around the NBA.

BarDown Staff

Rasual Butler , Getty Images

Rasual Butler was somewhat of a journeyman in the NBA, which meant he was able to touch a lot of lives around the NBA.

He played for 8 different teams through 14 years in the league, one of those teams being the Toronto Raptors. Earlier today, it was reported that he and his wife, Leah LaBelle, were killed in a car accident in California. Butler was only 38 years old, so his death was very unexpected to people around the NBA.

The shock spread throughout twitter pretty quickly, touching home with several players including several Raptors who played with him in 2011-12.

You gotta be kidding me right now....
This is a sad day man!!! R.i.p sual bop!!
True legend in my eyes !!! Damn I’m really hurt right now... damn man!!
— Kyle Lowry (@Klow7) January 31, 2018

This one hurts. Lost a good dude. Learn a lot from a humble individual. Rest easy to you and your wife! #RasualButler
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) January 31, 2018

I used to go and watch lasalle games sit at the top row of gola arena just to watch him play man!! Like this is wild to me!!
— Kyle Lowry (@Klow7) January 31, 2018

I remember I called you when you got drafted on draft night and I was at a camp and I wanted to show off because I knew you and you answered the phone for a 16year old who was one of your biggest fans.. this is truly a sad day for me !! RIP Sual bop my oldhead!!

A post shared by Kyle Lowry (@kyle_lowry7) on Jan 31, 2018 at 11:01am PST

Still in shock about my brother Rasual. Great positive person. We lost a good one
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) January 31, 2018

Great teammate, great guy! Both him and his wife way too young! My condolences to both families.#RestInPeace https://t.co/MfKeorg4ro
— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon) January 31, 2018

So sad this morning to here about my friend and teammate 😢 RIP Rasual Butler appreciate the people around u because u never kno 😔😔😔
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 31, 2018

Come on man. Damn. The world just lost a great dude. RIP Rasual “Bop” Butler! https://t.co/tufRq2H3AI
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 31, 2018

Rip to the homie Rasual Butler & his wife!! Condolences to the butler family & friends. Damn Bro 🙏🏽😪
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 31, 2018

Rip Bro bro 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/92Oy2qPUaf
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 31, 2018

Rasual and i my rookie year in Miami. This was my first public appearance and i was nervous to go along—So Sual joined to make it easier on me. That’s who he was—A great individual that was always there for people when they needed him. Today is a sad day—Sual’s family, his wife’s family and his NBA family mourn the lost of a great man. R.I.P philly boy Rasual Butler!

A post shared by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on Jan 31, 2018 at 12:11pm PST

Saddened by the news and the loss of Rasual Butler and his wife Leah. Talk about a great dude and family man. I know he had many stops during his 13 year NBA journey, but he was beloved becasue of his work ethic in Indiana. New guardian Angels..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) January 31, 2018

Very sad day for the #NBAFamily. My deepest condolences to Rasual and his wife’s families in such a painful moment. #RIPRasualButler pic.twitter.com/PUmTQUFwbF
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 31, 2018

Very sad day for me, Rasual was not only a great teammate but great guy in this league. My prayers and condolences go out to their families.
RIP 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/ZdcDPBcHIG
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) January 31, 2018

Damn this one hurts! RIP Rasual Butler & his wife Leah. Sounds so cliche, but Rasual was really one of the good ones!!
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 31, 2018

Rest easy my brother. See you when I get there!!! pic.twitter.com/Npsnib7k5t
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 31, 2018

Incredibly sad news to hear about Rasual Butler and his wife Leah. Prayers to both of their families through this tough time.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 31, 2018