The LSU community is in mourning Sunday after the passing of Tigers legend Billy Cannon.

Tigers players, fans and media members took to Twitter earlier in the day to pay tribute to Cannon and reflect on his impact. Now the Cannon family has released its own statement via LSU.

“Today is profoundly sad for all of us. We know the thoughts and prayers of so many who were touched by my father’s life are with him and with us. There are no words to express how grateful we are for the outpouring of support from all over the country. It is overwhelming and comforting.”

“LSU meant more to our dad than anyone could ever know. It wasn’t the awards or the acknowledgements on the football field. It was always the love of the LSU family that meant the world to him and to all of us. There is simply no other place on earth where so many come together to love and support their own like LSU. His life was intertwined with the purple and gold, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

Cannon was 80 years old.