Soccer Icon Thierry Henry Pays Moving Tribute To Late NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo

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On the other end of the spectrum of Rob Schneider’s disgusting conspiracy theory-laden politicization about the passing of NBA legend Dikemeb Mutombo is the moving tribute paid to him by soccer icon Thierry Henry.

Speaking about his passing on October 1, Thierry Henry — considered to be one of the greatest soccer players of all time and arguably the best player in the history of the Premier League — remembered Dikembe Mutombo as having a heart that was “larger than life” and that he was a better person than he was a basketball player, and he was a Hall of Fame basketball player.

“It was tough yesterday when I heard the news. I came across him so many times, working with the NBA, doing multiple events, going to the finals also in 2001 when they lost against the Lakers,” Henry began during Parampunt Plus’ Champions League coverage on Tuesday, October 1.

“What I wanted to say is that I never met someone like that. I mean, his heart was bigger and larger than life, shall I say, and the human being was better than the player. I mean, he got voted four times defensive player of the year. Great human being, you know, it’s tough to find the words,” the Arsenal and Barcelona icon continued.

Henry then highlighted Mutombo’s humanitarian work and the reaction of Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, who is Nigerian, when discussing Mutombo’s passing earlier this week.

“Every time I met him, the only thing he had is love for everybody, what he did for the Democratic Republic of Congo — sorry — what he did for the continent of Africa, what he did represent. When you see someone like Masai Ujiri, usually, obviously the big boss with the Toronto Raptors and the CEO, when you saw the state that he was in yesterday and what he did represent for a lot of people in the US, especially also in Africa and around the world.”

The French World Cup winner then concluded with what everyone seems to be saying about Mutombo: he was a gentle giant and an incredible human being.

“I was shocked yesterday, 58, really early, and he was a special man, gentle, gentle giant, really. A special man. Really, I can’t say more than that. Obviously, thinking of the family and everyone around this type of situation is always, always difficult. But yeah, what a man.”

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1966, Mutombo moved to the United States and attended Georgetown University. After being drafted fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the league with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.

An eight-time NBA All-Star and was named Defensive Player of the Year four times ( 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001). Known for his defensive abilities, particularly his prolific shot-blocking, Mutombo averaged 2.8 blocks per game, alongside 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest, for his career.

Mutombo also became known for the way he would taunt opponents, as he would wave his index finger at them in a “No” motion — like a parent would at a puppy or a child — after blocking their shot. The 7’2″ center was also revered for his off-the-court life as he was a longtime humanitarian, particularly when it came to causes in his native Africa.