'Be Water': Bruce Lee remembered ahead of ESPN film as fans say 'legends never die'

Ahead of the start of Bao Nguyen's ESPN documentary film, 'Be Water,' the internet paid tribute to the late martial arts master and star as they sat down to catch the feature
Bruce Lee in 'Enter the Dragon' (IMDb)
Bruce Lee in 'Enter the Dragon' (IMDb)

Bruce Lee was more than just a film star. To many across the world, he was an enigma, an inspiration, and a martial arts legend. Ahead of the start of Bao Nguyen's ESPN documentary film, 'Be Water,' the internet paid tribute to the late martial arts master and star as they sat down to catch the feature.

"Mastery of his craft...with incendiary screen presence and charisma. Had most kids' in my neighborhood moms pissed at them for cutting their mops and brooms to make nun-chucks," a fan relived. "Arguably the greatest Martial Artist of the 20th Century, and early pioneer of MMA! You couldn't box Bruce in with tradition, as he challenged his own Chinese community to break with set moves, forms, and stances. He asked his students to think, be free, and know themselves!" a fan seconded. 

"Bruce Lee! You’re a legend when 47 years after your death people still speak of your name. Iconic man," a fan tweeted. "Many know of his martial arts talent and acting, but how many know that he was a philosopher and writer as well? He was an amazing human being," a tweet read. "One of the most amazing movie stars & baddest men to ever live. My brother is a great martial artist because he studied Mr. Lee so much. He turned my family into huge fans of Mr. Lee, too. The black community loves him & his son, Brandon, very much," a fan said.

"Legends never die... The "dragon" is still alive in our hearts," a fan remarked. "The one who inspired me a lot. And proved it to us that Asian Americans can be someone on the screen," a fan said. "Bruce Lee was great at his craft and an inspiration to a young me when there weren’t many Asians portrayed in a positive light in film and entertainment," another opined. 

"What @brucelee means to me is the philosophy of not being bound by limitations and rigid doctrines. Without being bound by limitations and doctrines we learn to adapt in any situation, and that the possibilities are endless. #BeWater," a tweet read. 

'Be Water' airs Sunday 9 pm ET on ESPN and will be available on ESPN+.

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