Theoretical physicist Stephen W. Hawking died on March 14 at age 76. Hawking was considered to have one of the greatest minds of this generation. (Amber Ferguson/The Washington Post)

The world mourned the death of Stephen Hawking, the British theoretical physicist who bravely suffered since the age of 21 from a degenerative motor neuron disease similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Hawking, who died at the age of 76, was a symbol of courage as he lived in his wheelchair, his body contorted by the disease.

His death did not go unnoticed by one world-famous athlete, although perhaps it should have gone unremarked upon. Neymar, who is sidelined as he recovers from foot surgery, tweeted in Portuguese to his nearly 39 million followers: “You have to have a positive attitude and get the best out of the situation you are in. Stephen Hawking”

While that certainly is true and is a worthy salute, the photo accompanying the message angered many people.

Plenty of people felt that kudos should be given to any world-class athlete who emerges from the bubble of superstardom long enough to be aware of a man like Hawking and to acknowledge his passing, but others thought there might be better ways to pay tribute. As several social media enthusiasts pointed out, Neymar will recover from his restricted mobility, his wheelchair confinement only temporary. That hardly compares to Hawking’s decades-long ordeal.

 

Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl pointed out that Neymar is very social-media savvy but seemed to miss the mark here. Plenty of people sided with Neymar, though, with one user replying to Wahl: “I don’t think he necessarily tried to mock Hawking here. I mean, the quote applies to him and his injury situation, and acknowledges Hawking. I guess he could have done without the wheelchair, but I just don’t see a malicious intent here.”

Wahl went on to explain why he thought Neymar was off-base. “It’s the height of self-centeredness to put Hawking’s death in terms of yourself,” he tweeted. “Neymar’s temporary wheelchair situation is profoundly minor compared to the lifetime wheelchair situation Hawking had. I’m sure Neymar meant no harm, but come on.”

Steve Gleason, the former NFL player who has ALS, delivered a far better tribute, tweeting: “Stephen Hawking inspired me before ALS to keep asking questions, seeking answers, and understanding the cosmic perspective. But since ALS, he saved my life with his example. People diagnosed with ALS can continue to live productive and purposeful lives for decades.”

Neymar, the world’s highest paid soccer player, is expected to be out six weeks after having surgery to repair a fractured metatarsal in Paris Saint-Germain’s Feb. 25 match. He is expected fully recover for World Cup play this summer.

Read more from The Post:

Cut by the Cardinals after declining a pay cut, Tyrann Mathieu says it isn’t about the money

Baylor suspends four football players amid new sexual assault investigation

Yankees’ Aaron Judge warned of tampering after recruiting pitch to Orioles’ Manny Machado

Obama reveals his NCAA brackets and they’re full of chalk