NBA players Karl-Anthony Towns and Montrezl Harrell were misled by fake news on Thursday, following erroneous reports that hip-hop icon DMX had passed away.
The 50-year-old rapper's manager, Steve Rifkind, dispelled rumors of his client's passing after the hashtags “RIP DMX” and “Rest in Power DMX” trended globally.
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Per Rifkind, DMX is still in critical condition after his apparent overdose last week, but is still alive and currently on life support.
“Please stop posting these rumors, DMX is still alive, he said in the now-viral clip. “Yes, he is still on life support but it is not helping anybody by seeing these false rumors.”
Among those who responded to reports of DMX's death was Towns. The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar expressed his condolences in a now-deleted tweet.
Reigning Sixth Man of The Year, Harrell of the Los Angeles Lakers, also responded to DMX's supposed demise.
Long Live the Dawg X! https://t.co/lsP2aK1w3r
— Montrezl Harrell (@MONSTATREZZ) April 9, 2021
DMX, real name Earl Simmons, was rushed to the White Plains Hospital in New York last Friday after suffering a heart attack possibly triggered by a drug overdose.
“The Simmons family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt love, encouragement, support and prayers for Earl. Earl is someone whose life and music have been a source of inspiration and strength to so many people around the world. It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need,” a statement from a representative read.
DMX's music and influence, of course, continue to be a staple among the league's generation of players today. The NBA community is visibly aware of his contributions to American culture and the fabric of many lives spanning generations.
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