“Now I’m asking you, as a friend, stand by my side this one last time,” Creed asked Rocky Balboa as he took on Ivan Drago. This may have been one of the last things Apollo Creed ever said—and a beautifully tragic one at that; a foreshadowing that it was ultimately Creed’s last time in the ring. And now, even all these years later, Sylvester Stallone stood by Carl Weathers one last time as he bid goodbye to his good friend.

“So, Apollo, keep punching.” But Stallone wasn’t alone, as the cinema and sporting world came together, and Magic Johnson became the flagbearer in the basketball world.

From one champion to another: Magic Johnson looked up to Carl Weathers

‘Dying peacefully at home’ is a blessing that only a few can get. Carl Weathers’ manager confirmed today that the legendary actor is no more and  “died peacefully in his sleep,” surrounded by his family in his Los Angeles home. His performance in the Rocky franchise put him on the map, as he convinced everyone he was a professional boxer. Interestingly, he was just a heavyweight bodybuilder, and boxing was entirely new to him. That is how good of an actor Carl Weathers was. And Magic Johnson couldn’t help but pay tribute to him and his talent on the big screen.

The Los Angeles Lakers icon tweeted, “Rest in peace to the truly amazing actor and entertainer, Carl Weathers. We all marveled at his talents on the big screen in the “Rocky” franchise as Apollo Creed.” Although Apollo Creed was Weathers’ most well-known portrayal, Magic Johnson was a fan of more than just the champion boxer. “I really enjoyed him in his role as the police chief in the hit TV show, ‘In the Heat of the Night!’ Cookie and I are praying for the Weathers family during this difficult time.”

Carl Weathers, 76, motivated entire generations to pursue sports as a career. When people had their eyes set on becoming mainstream professionals, his portrayal of the charismatic Creed showed what it took to become a sportsperson. He proved that it was possible. With the legacy he’s left behind, it was only fair that he got honored by legendary names in the Hollywood and sporting industry. So, they joined five-time NBA champion Johnson in paying their tribute. 

Bodybuilding legend and Carl Weathers’ one-time co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote on X, “Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person.” Michael B. Jordan, who plays Adonis Creed – Apollo Creed’s son in the Creed franchise – expressed on his Instagram story, “We lost a legend today.” Dedicating his success to Weathers, Sylvester Stallone captioned his emotional Instagram message, “My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keep punching.” 

Tough times like these shall pass, but tough people like Carl Weathers will stay forever in our hearts! After all, who could forget someone as good at what he did as Carl Weathers was?

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NFL linebacker to Emmy Award nominee: Carl Weathers was the best at what he did

Sports gave Weathers a discipline he always boasted. The late legend earned a football scholarship at San Diego State, later earning him an NFL spot. The 76-year-old sported the Oakland Raiders jersey for two seasons in the NFL. He described himself as a football linebacker with aspirations for acting. Becoming a Hollywood star didn’t just stay a dream; he went out and achieved it. 

Weathers was famous for his impactful performances in the Predator and Rocky series. However, his most recent performance in The Mandalorian got him an Emmy Award nomination in 2021. For his role as ‘Greef Karga’ in the Star Wars franchise, Weathers was nominated under the category ‘Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series.’ He even directed two episodes in the series and a few for Chicago Med and Law & Order. 

Considering his remarkable career, he worked with numerous actors he admired and wished to emulate. In a 2023 interview with Detroit News, he said, “Hopefully, I can inspire someone else to do good work as well.” There’s no doubt he did just that. While many would say Weathers was blessed with natural talents, the people who closely worked with him know there are years of unearthed hard work behind it. 

Carl Weathers’ incredible life will only be an inspiration for many. As we remember the icon for all he did, what was your favorite Carl Weathers portrayal?

Read more: Sylvester Stallone Speculates – What if Apollo Creed Wasn’t Killed by Ivan Drago in Rocky IV?