On Thursday, NASCAR announced that legendary driver Kyle Busch died at the age of 41 years old. The two-time Cup Series champion was hospitalized earlier in the day with what his family called a severe illness, and the joint statement from NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing, and the Busch family confirmed his tragic passing several hours later.
The football world was shaken up by the news.
NFL Stars Pay Tribute to NASCAR Legend Kyle Busch
Pro Bowl tackle Taylor Lewan, a longtime NASCAR fan and co-host of the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, was among the first to weigh in.
“Rest in peace to Kyle Busch, guy was a racing legend, Lewan wrote. “Thinking about his family.”
Rest in peace to Kyle Busch, guy was a racing legend.
Thinking about his family. https://t.co/XKVSSaWQcy
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) May 21, 2026
Legendary NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson followed soon after with “WTF” and a broken heart emoji. Three-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver Julian Edelman also took to social media to react to the news.
“Got the chance to hang with Kyle a few times. Just such a solid dude. Tough day. #RIP,” Edelman wrote.
Got the chance to hang with Kyle a few times. Just such a solid dude. Tough day. #RIP https://t.co/JrcjTHNrru
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) May 21, 2026
Will Compton, a former NFL linebacker and Lewan’s co-host on “Bussin’ With the Boys,” chimed in as well.
“A reminder to hug your loved ones Rest in peace to a legend and one of the best to ever do it,” he wrote on X.
Former NFL punter and current ESPN broadcaster Pat McAfee was close with Busch, so his tribute to the NASCAR legend hit close to home.
I’m a bit shell shocked at the moment..
Kyle was incredible to me and our progrum. A phenomenal hang, husband, father, and wheelman.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends..
We love you @KyleBusch.. You done good. Rest easy, man. pic.twitter.com/oAPtEJGH90
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 21, 2026
“I’m a bit shell shocked at the moment.. Kyle was incredible to me and our progrum. A phenomenal hang, husband, father, and wheelman,” he wrote. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.. We love you @KyleBusch .. You done good. Rest easy, man.”
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara summed up his thoughts: “RIP”
Many NFL analysts were stunned by the news given Busch was just 41 years old.
This is crazy
He was so young
Rip Kyle Busch https://t.co/6NOGqHvZC8
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) May 21, 2026
“This is crazy,” one football YouTuber wrote. “He was so young RIP Kyle Busch”
Busch’s racing team, Richard Childress Racing, along with NASCAR and the Busch family, announced Busch’s tragic passing in a joint statement on Thursday evening.
“On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans. Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series.
“His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’ Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.
“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.”
Busch leaves behind a résumé few drivers have matched. He won 63 Cup Series races, 102 in the Xfinity Series, and 69 in the Truck Series, the most combined victories of any driver in NASCAR history. His two Cup championships came in 2015 and 2019 during his run with Joe Gibbs Racing before he moved to Richard Childress Racing ahead of the 2023 season.
He’d shown signs of a turnaround in recent weeks. Busch finished eighth at Watkins Glen earlier this month, his best Cup Series result of the season, and added a Truck Series victory last week.
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, son Brexton and daughter Lennix.
