abe pollin's death was felt throughout the entire city. as the news broke, we caught up with some of the biggest names and mourned his passing. >> we here in washington understand how important abe pollin was. i'm not sure people around the country really did. >> you saw the paper today, not the top of the sports section. this was the top of the front page of the paper. this is a very significant washingtonian, obviously involved in sports, meant a lot to the sports landscape in the city, but meant a lot in a much broader sense, meant a lot to the city in a lot of different ways. >>> the change down there is remarkable. it's basically dc's version of times square. he was certainly proud of that. mrs. pollin is certainly proud of that. the entire pollin family is proud of that. it's, it's, it was a big risk, but they took it and they have revitalized that part of town in a dramatic way. >>> mr. pollin was a very feisty, very determined, and i think gritty guy. that's what enabled him to accomplish all that he has. once you were in the famil

today was the funeral for 8 a- year-old abe pollin. the wizards owner diedtuesday after a long fight with a rare brain disease. a giant crowd honored his lifelong work for the good of the city. stacy company hahn was at today's service. >> reporter: the people -- stacey cohan was at today's service. >> reporter: the people came from all corners of our community. sports moguls and politicians joined everyday works at the verizon center to honor abe pollin. >> he walked comfortably with presidents and prime ministers and with people that were homeless. that's what everyone admired about him. >> reporter: ai pollin earned his fortune building housing which afforded the son of a russian immigrant the chance to indulge his greatest passion, by buying the washington bullets basketball team and later the washington capitals. he told the hockey team to ted in 1999 who remembered pollin wanting more than just money. >> he wanted to know that his baby was in good hands and that we shared the same view on how the team was a public trust and that

earlier today at the funeral services for abe pollin. ted leonsis had these words about the wizards' owner. >> abe is a man of the people. i think you will really see that next week at verizon center where it will be open to the public. he walked very confidently will presidents and prime ministers and with people who were homeless. that's why people like me admire him so much. he was a connector to all society. he was a genuine authentic person. >> reporter: well said about as well as you can say it, i think. that's what people think about abe pollin, the man who helped anyone who needed an outstretched arm >> phil: as ted leonsis said, he felt comfortable, whether he was with presidents or the man on the street. >> steve: a moment of silence was observed here justprior to the start of tonight's game. as i mentionedderrier, it was also observed in orlando wednesday night when the heat and magic play, a day after mr. pollin passed away. uteudonis haslem, not there. the wizards crash the board and have it. wizards beginning to go on a 2-

abe pollin passed away at the age of 85. he has been having health problems for the past several years. we welcome you watching from comcast news cast. >> we're going back to the arena. wizard's president, announcer expected to make the microphone. >> some of the people who knew mr. pollen the best will be giving their thoughts. we have one guy who used to work for abe pollin, he's with chick hernandez -- >> we always associate him with the basketball team, did bring the capitals. stuck with them. and losing money years. got them 14-straight playoff year. you remember some of the antedotes about him. one of the things that we would take for granted, he knew all of their names. >> not even did he know your name your children's name and your patient's name. i remember one summer the team had the marketing department had me go to abe's house. he came over and put his arm around me and said thank you for coming to my house. it was such a big deal for me. i remember the first time i was over there, we had just got back from swede