In the world of professional sports, public rivalries often overshadow private friendships. But a quiet message from Terrell Owens to a grieving NBA legend showed how deep those bonds can run. Mourning the passing of a beloved American TV host and actor at 74, an NBA coach took to social media with a tribute. While many messages poured in, it was Owens’ response that quietly stood out.

“Sorry for your loss 🙏🏾🕊️” wrote Terrell Owens on Byron Scott’s post on Instagram.

Three-time NBA champion Byron Scott posted a carousel of images of himself with television host Kiki Shepard after the latter passed away on March 16, 2026, because of a heart attack. Shepard was 74 at the time of her death.

The television host attained popularity when she co-hosted Showtime at the Apollo from 1987 to 2002. Besides that, she has worked as an actress and dancer in several Broadway theaters as well.

While Shepard and Scott are not blood-related, they are good friends and philanthropic partners. They have been a part of her annual Byron Scott & Kiki Shepard Celebrity Bowling Challenge, which raises money for sickle cell awareness through the KIS (Keeping it Sickle) Foundation.

Kiki founded the KIS Foundation in 2006. She had worked extensively with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) to help in combating the disease. The television personality also saw its impact on a friend’s family, which ultimately led her to found the organization.

On March 8, 2026, she was honored at the International Women’s Day Gospel Brunch at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, just days later, she passed away, leaving behind an organization that has helped hundreds of individuals.

March has not just been about one loss. The passing of Kiki Shepard has come amid a string of heartbreaks, with respected voices like Ernie Anastos, the Emmy-winning face of New York television, and Ronnie Eldridge also leaving behind lasting legacies within days of each other.

Although Owens did not know them personally, he offered his condolences after the news broke. Moreover, it was not just the NFL legend, but several other people who came together to support the former Los Angeles Lakers player.

Fans rally behind Byron Scott with an outpouring of heartfelt tributes

Byron Scott knew Kiki Shepard for years and helped build the KIS Foundation together. However, from this point forward, he’s lost his partner.

The carousel of images he shared on Instagram also had a picture from their bowling challenge, with Scott holding a red bowling ball. There was another one where they posed together with the family.

As those moments surfaced online, fans rallied around him with messages of support, echoing the same comfort Terrell Owens had offered.

“Sorry for your loss,” a fan commented. “My sincere condolences.”

In times of distress, these small words help a lot. Likewise, Scott would be happy to see so many people showing their support for Kiki.

“My condolences brother,” another fan wrote. “😢 I know you will continue what you guys started.”

At the end of the day, it wasn’t just fans. People from the sports world joined in too. Former NBA Champion Isaiah Thomas also showered Scott with love.

“❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” wrote Isaiah Thomas.

For many, the loss had not yet sunk in. The impact that Kiki had on the community stood out in this moment.

“Oh no, we loved Kiki so much,” wrote a fan. “This is heartbreaking what a beautiful person inside and out 💔 So sorry sorry for your loss 🙏🏾”

“Sad to hear this❤️❤️❤️May she Rest in Peace and you will keep her vision going strong🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽” another fan commented.

Losing Kiki Shepard is not just about the end of an era on television, but the silence left behind in the lives she touched beyond it. Through her years on screen and her relentless work off it, Shepard built a legacy that stretched far beyond applause. While tributes continue to pour in, her impact now lives on where it mattered most: in the communities she uplifted and the cause she refused to stop fighting for.