Darryl Dawkins Died Today

[Selassie I]

The original backboard breaker... aka... Chocolate Thunder died today of a heart attack at 58. He's the reason they came up with the break-away rims that are used today.

This guy has a special place with me as he was from here in Orlando and went to Evans HS. Back in the early 70's dunking wasn't allowed in HS ball in FL. That didn't stop Darryl from dunking when games weren't happening in his HS gym... he actually got kicked out of his own HS gym for a while because he broke the backboard. LOL

He had a personality bigger than he was. We lost him way too soon.

RIP

 

[Stranger]

Nooooooooo! I was a big fan. Very sorry to hear this.

 

[Big Willie]

Loved me some DD. He created some excitement for the struggling NBA...pre Magic and Bird.
RIP Chocolate Thunder.

 

[Ramhusker]

Definitely an icon of the NBA and basketball. I've always read he was a great guy also. RIP.

 

[Selassie I]

Another cool fact about Chocolate Thunder that I should have mentioned in the OP...

Darryl was the 1st person to ever go straight to the NBA out of High School. That was unheard of back then.