RIP Mark Eaton

Former Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton dies after bicycle crash at age 64

Mark Eaton, the 7-foot-4 shot-blocking king who twice was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year during his career with the Utah Jazz, has died, the team said Saturday. He was 64.

The Jazz said police said Eaton was found lying in the road around 8:30 p.m. Friday after apparently crashing his bike in Summit County, Utah. According to the Jazz, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said that Eaton was taken to a hospital, where he later died, and that there was no reason to believe a vehicle was involved in the accident.

Damn. 64 is still too young, especially with it sounding like injuries sustained in a freak accident while out cycling.

On top of being a defensive beast on the court, from all accounts he was a great guy off it. Adam Ryan, host of the In All Airness podcast, had him on the show for an interview several years back and it was a great listen: https://inallairness.libsyn.com/air049- ... a-all-star

Rest easy, big man.

Only 64.....damn, that's f-d up. R.I.P to the Big Guy.

Respect from Thurl Bailey;

https://twitter.com/bigTbailey/status/1 ... gr%5Etweet

A lot of outpouring of grief and love from the extended NBA family. No surprises given the stories of what a great person he was.

Interesting story about Eaton's encounter with Wilt;

https://kslsports.com/432853/chance-enc ... ns-career/

Great advice from Wilt.

Also, can't not post this classic moment.

Mark was a gentle giant, he usually replied to everyone on Twitter too R.I.P Mark