“I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous, and gratifying existence,” said the late Jimmy Carter in an interview in 2015. Nine years later, the former POTUS sadly passed away at the age of 100 in his small hometown of Plains, Georgia. While famous personalities shared their condolences on the longest-living president’s passing, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith, in an emotional monologue, pointed out a wholesome occurrence.

Not many know Carter’s wife, Rosalynn Carter, who was married to Jimmy for 75 years, passed away in November 2023. The couple spent most of their retirement life together at their Plains home before leaving it behind. This wholesome relationship has inspired an entire generation.

Oprah Winfrey once said, “Yours is a love like everyone would wish that they would have,” speaking about the couple. And to further make it heartwarming, Carter, in the 2021 interview said, “And I love her more now than I did to begin with – which is saying a lot, because I loved her a lot.” Moreover, Stephen A. Smith, who imbibed all this in his system, emotionally reacted to their passing.

In the latest episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, he dedicated a segment to speak about the demise. Especially about the beauty of their relationship. He said, “She had died in November of 2023 at the age of 96. It’s always a beautiful thing you know when you see a wife and or a husband and one of them passes away shortly thereafter the other goes.”

Smith moved away from his usual reporting tone and shifted to a calm and serene tone. He further added, “Those are souls connected, you know. Somebody goes to heaven, and it’s like you’re ready to go too. Because your life just ain’t worth that much anymore on this Earth without that one person.”

Importantly, the legendary couple had showcased their love in the NBA world as well.

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter: The NBA chapter in their love story

Just like every other president of the US, Jimmy Carter was also a great fan of the ball game. During his 1978 presidential tenure, Carter hosted the then-Champions Washington Bullets at the White House. During that time, he showcased his dribbling skills in front of professional ballers.

Moreover, pointing at the Washington side’s championship draught since the Franklin Roosevelt era, he joked he brought luck to the team.

Anyway, switching our focus to their love story, the couple visited one of the Atlanta Hawks‘ games on 2019 Valentine’s Day. Any sporting team related to Atlanta was Carter’s favorite. And, given the occasion, the couple participated in the kiss cam, giving a wholesome vibe to the entire arena.

Moreover, when the demise of the former POTUS was announced in the Wolves’ arena, the entire crowd paid tribute to Carter. The couple has truly left a lasting impression in the hearts of the US people.

Stephen A. Smith further said, ” Jimmy Carter gone but never forgotten. He gone at the age of 100. God bless him and his wonderful wife who no doubt are in heaven together, right now.” Such a heart-touching way to address a man’s demise who had lived a fulfilling life.

RIP Jimmy Carter.