Doyle Brunson, the world champion poker player who helped popularize the game, has died, his family confirmed in a press statement. He was 89 years old.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson," reads the family's statement. "He was a beloved Christian man, husband, father and grandfather. We’ll have more to say over the coming days as we honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. May he rest in peace.”

Brunson is often referred to as the Godfather of Poker for his role in promoting the game. He won 10 World Series of Poker titles in his career before he retired in 2018, and became well known for his signature cowboy hat during televised events. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988, and boasted more than $6 million in live tournament earnings.

Brunson's books Super System and Super System 2 are also staples of the game, credited with having taught millions of people how to play and often referred to as the bible of poker for their in-depth look at high-level poker strategy.

The poker star has nearly endless accolades to his name, and is woven into the lore of the game. A 10-2 starting hand is referred to as a Doyle Brunson, as he won back-to-back World Series of Poker titles in 1976 and 1977 with that hand.

The World Series of Poker memorialized Brunson on social media after the news broke, calling him "the biggest legend of them all."