Shocking news broke on Thursday when it was announced that former NBA great Darryl Dawkins, also known as “Chocolate Thunder”, had suddenly passed due to a heart attack.
Here is the official announcement, from 69 News:
The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Dawkins died today. Following his professional playing career, Dawkins made his home in the Lehigh Valley. His family released a statement Thursday afternoon, indicating the former NBA great died of a heart attack.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Darryl Dawkins, who succumbed today to a heart attack. Darryl touched the hearts and spirits of so many with his big smile and personality, ferocious dunks, but more than anything, his huge, loving heart,” the statement said. The 58-year-old made history in 1975, when he became the first player ever drafted directly from high school to the NBA. The Orlando native played 15 seasons in the NBA, spending the majority of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets.
Dawkins is best known for being way ahead of his time in terms of his sheer ability to leap for mind-boggling slam dunks, but his genuine approach in general and kind personality is what his friends and peers seem to remember the most about him, as many former and current players who had a chance to know him shared their emotional responses upon learning the sad news of his passing:
Condolences to the family of Darryl Dawkins, a great man! Your smile personality and energy will truly be missed!!!
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 27, 2015
RIP Chocolate Thunder.Man gone 2 soon @NBAcom
— mario elie (@marioelie1) August 27, 2015
Saddened to hear the news about @Thunderdunk53… RIP. An @NBA legend and great guy gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/1HEAzX7PdR
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) August 27, 2015
In a loss of words….
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 27, 2015
I’m going to miss you so much Uncle Darryl. There will never be another Chocolate Thunder. Love you so much and going to miss you so much..
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 27, 2015
R.I.P Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins…..A Good Friend, Mentor, n Legend. ???????? #GoneToSoon https://t.co/jCofQGWO0f
— Jason Thompson (@jtthekid) August 27, 2015
SAD SAD SAD, thoughts and prayers to the Dawkins Family.. Your smile will be missed my friend..… https://t.co/3vOyCq1aCA
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) August 27, 2015
RIP to Darryl Dawkins aka “Chocolate Thunder” – a great man, entertainer, athlete and ferocious dunker. He will be missed but not forgotten.
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) August 27, 2015
Rest in peace OG. You were one of my favorite players of all time. You were very inspirational to a… https://t.co/IlJAlcDX3R
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 27, 2015
Damn RIP #DarrylDawkins aka Chocolate Thunder ???????????????????? ????
— Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) August 27, 2015
R.I.P to Orlando florida’s own “Chocolate Thunder” Darryl Dawkins. You will be missed my friend. You paved … http://t.co/NXoiej1nDP
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) August 27, 2015
@Thunderdunk53 I’m gonna miss you big bro. It was a pleasure workin & hangin w/you. Heaven just became more entertaining. #RIPDarrylDawkins
— Tracy Murray (@RealTracyMurray) August 27, 2015
I can’t believe the news about my friend Darryl Dawkins. A fun spirited, loving and family man I hope you rest easy. Praying for your family
— Tyrone Muggsy Bogues (@MuggsyBogues) August 27, 2015
I can’t believe the news about my friend Darryl Dawkins. A fun spirited, loving and family man I hope you rest easy. Praying for your family
— Tyrone Muggsy Bogues (@MuggsyBogues) August 27, 2015
Heard the passing of Darryl Dawkins, what a pleasure to know him, I’m a better individual from the time we spent. RIP #chocolatethunder
— Bruce Bowen (@Bowen12) August 27, 2015
R.I.P Darryl Dawkins. Love listening to his stories. Thanks for all the Wisdom. https://t.co/aZNdrIRIJY
— Steve Smith (@steve21smith) August 27, 2015
Gonna Miss U DAWK!!!! pic.twitter.com/rnn4fBcWPQ
— Rick Mahorn (@badboyhorn44) August 27, 2015
RIP Chocolate Thunder pic.twitter.com/WFFCPqeELk
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 27, 2015
Darryl Dawkins was a real showman and class guy!Great nba ambassador!!RIP chocolate thunder!
— Ahmad Rashad (@NBATVAhmad) August 27, 2015
I travelled the world with DD. he entertained wherever he was!! I will miss him.
— Ahmad Rashad (@NBATVAhmad) August 27, 2015
RIP Chocolate Thunder. https://t.co/HQ9sIJzMkc
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) August 27, 2015
RIP Darryl Dawkins #chocolatethunder! All my prayers to family.
— Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) August 27, 2015
Sad to see a legend gone so young!! I remember meeting him last year. What a great man. RIP Chocolate Thunder
— Lang Galloway (@LangGalloway10) August 27, 2015
Feels like a week ago when we did this Darryl Dawkins pod. Great guy. http://t.co/Yj93nshhQM
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) August 27, 2015
Rest in peace to one of the most powerful dunkers and outstanding elocutionists the NBA has ever… https://t.co/n5IesZb0rW
— Adonal Foyle (@afoyle3131) August 27, 2015
RIP Darryl Dawkins. He had so much personality & was always laughing. https://t.co/XgtlyYUEvZ
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) August 27, 2015
R.I.P. Darryl Dawkins #chocalatethunder #sixerfamily https://t.co/ooOqt8juLr
— Willie Green (@DetroitWillie34) August 27, 2015
Rip Chocolate Thunder..
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) August 27, 2015
Man Darryl Dawkins was the 1st guy I had ever seen a shatter an ENTIRE a backboard….
— Rich Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) August 27, 2015
RIP ???????? Chocolate Thunder https://t.co/MZCZRfAt6Z
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) August 27, 2015
Darryl Dawkins was an icon, as a Sixer legend but more as a person. He will be truly missed by all. RIP #ChocolateThunder
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) August 27, 2015
— Caron Butler (@realtuffjuice) August 27, 2015
So sad to hear that my friend, NBA Legend Darryl Dawkins aka “Chocolate Thunder” passed away.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 27, 2015
Darryl Dawkins’ bigger than life personality will be missed by all. He was a good friend and I will miss him dearly.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 27, 2015
I couldn’t wait to see Darryl at every NBA All-Star Weekend. He was always the life of the party!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 27, 2015
Rest In Peace Darryl Dawkins aka Chocolate Thunder pic.twitter.com/0FPKTUel6I
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) August 27, 2015
Damn R.I.P Chocolate Thunder!
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) August 27, 2015
hosted a couple of events with him good man big heart and always told the truth RIP Darryl Dawkins
— Marcus Thornton (@OfficialMT23) August 27, 2015
#RIP #ChocolateThunder pic.twitter.com/PsHPFl7UCO
— Chris Paul (@CP3) August 27, 2015
R.I.P “Darryl Dawkins” aka #ChocolateThunder https://t.co/JJGvcFCVmX
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 27, 2015
Rest in peace Darryl Dawkins. Wonderful memories of the 1980 Championships vs. Philadelphia. You had your own style. #ChocolateThunder
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) August 27, 2015
Rest in peace, Dr. Dunk. https://t.co/YYMauXboJs
— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) August 27, 2015
#RIP Chocolate Thunder http://t.co/HOJdinPnCt
— Anderson Varejão (@VAREJAOANDERSON) August 27, 2015
R.I.P MY BROTHER #DARRYLDAWKINS great player but better friend we”lol miss you and those suites. Love https://t.co/zZo8ZHL2sG
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) August 27, 2015
#RIPDarrylDawkins #ChocolateThunder
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 27, 2015
Saddened by the news of Darryl Dawkins passing. Played with unforgettable passion and energy. RIP #ChocolateThunder #Lovetron
— Vivek Ranadivé (@Vivek) August 27, 2015
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Darryl Dawkins pic.twitter.com/lwWXmoDoOR
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2015
One time for Chocolate Thunder
— Iman Shumpert I (@imanshumpert) August 27, 2015
Rest Easy Daryl Dawkins all time great! He was great to philly! Heart goes out to all the sixer fans and to Daryl’s family
— Michael Carter-Willi (@MCW1) August 27, 2015
So sorry about @Thunderdunk53 . Spent many All-star weekends w/ him doing appearances & such. Fun & positive man. NBA lost another legend.
— Detlef Schrempf (@Dschrempf) August 27, 2015
The @NBA family lost one of our brothers today #DarylDawkins was a giant both as a player and friend! Thoughts and prayers, with his family
— Greg Anthony (@GregAnthony50) August 27, 2015
Former NBA player Darryl Dawkins has passed away at age 58. My condolences to his family.
— Corey Maggette (@Corey_Maggette) August 27, 2015
#RIP Darryl Dawkins https://t.co/MQ5CNon1Yl
— Paul Millsap (@Paulmillsap4) August 27, 2015
Terrible news about Darryl Dawkins. He helped pave the way for today’s game & today’s players. RIP Chocolate Thunder! pic.twitter.com/dCzgTaHBEu
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) August 27, 2015
Never did I ever see Darryl Dawkins unhappy, he always had a smile on his face, spreading positive vibes & laughter. #oneofakind
— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) August 28, 2015
Thoughts and Prayers to the Family, Friends, and Fans of Darryl Dawkins. God Bless. Gone 2 soon! #RIPChocolateThunder
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) August 28, 2015
RIP Darryl Dawkins. I enjoyed our battles, your jokes were epic. Heaven is in for a real treat. #ChocolateThunder
— Kurt Rambis (@KRambis) August 28, 2015
#RIPDarrylDawkins. Safe travels back to #PlanetLovetron. #ChocolateThunder with the nasty & funky jaw-dropping dunks http://t.co/pUTXvz6RIr
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) August 28, 2015
Darryl Dawkins dies at age 58 http://t.co/9NXrGa0uuq just interviewed Darryl recently @siriusxmnba and i am so glad i got the chance. RIP!
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) August 28, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.