For many people (namely, non-sports fans who loved Seinfeld), George Steinbrenner will always be inextricably tied to George Costanza, a zeitgeist-y association that kept him inside the relevant gates of pop culture long after he stopped firing Billy Martin. Sports dignitaries may have plenty to say about the man fondly known as Mr. Steinbrenner, but to us, it seems fitting to get a final word on his death from none other than the man who played Costanza himself, Jason Alexander:
"I met the real George Steinbrenner on only one occasion when he actually came and played himself on an episode of Seinfeld. He seemed to really enjoy himself. I did not get to know him but the fact that he allowed himself and his beloved team to be satirized on our show is an indication to me of his true character. He was certainly a legend and I am pleased to have been associated with him, even if only in fiction. My sympathies to his family, friends and fans."
Below, watch a scene from the episode Alexander was referring to (and always remember, "Singles tables are for losers"):
Additional reporting by Russell Weakland