Multiple NBA coaches paid tribute to civil rights leader and former U.S. Representative John Lewis after Lewis passed away on Friday night following a bout with pancreatic cancer.

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers noted some of the rights Lewis fought for are still under siege today.

Via K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago:

“Really sad day for our country,” Rivers said about Lewis' passing. “What's amazing is when you think about right now, some of the stuff that John Lewis was fighting for, we're still fighting for. Voter suppression right now is at an all-time high.”

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich issued a statement on Sunday, lauding Lewis for his commitment to justice. The legendary NBA coach also suggested politicians take action in honoring Lewis' legacy, rather than merely offering condolences.

Via Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports:

“So, he — along with many others obviously — he was one of those special people that now that he is gone, you really feel an absence — an absence of decency, an absence of righteous effort for justice for everybody. And hopefully we can move on in a way that honors what he did his whole life. You know, the opposite of what is going on now with the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. So all those politicians that are praising Congressman Lewis on the one hand are the same people that are willing to guy the Voting Rights Act that he worked so hard for. That, I think, is disgusting.”

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Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr's Twitter feed is filled with retweets of tributes to Lewis.

The three aforementioned coaches are among the most outspoken in the NBA with respect to matters of racial equality and inclusion. A number of other coaches, including Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce and New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry weighed in on Lewis' passing.

Lewis led the charge against discrimination and was described as a “lion” of civil rights. It would seem Rivers, Popovich and Kerr will do what they can to take up the mantle and call for justice.