Rick Bonnell, who covered the Hornets for the Charlotte Observer from the team’s inaugural season in 1988, has died at 63, the paper reported Wednesday.
His son, Jack, confirmed his death on Tuesday night and told the Observer that police told him that there become no reason to suspect infamous play.
The cause of Bonnell’s death has no longer been sure, his son told the Observer. Nonetheless, it’s miles reportedly believed to be of pure causes.
Bonnell had more than 11,000 bylines in the paper, and as Scott Fowler of the Observer writes, “Bonnell didn’t correct beget institutional files. He become an establishment.”
The Hornets launched more than one statements referring to Bonnell’s death, including from heart Cody Zeller, guard Terry Rozier and ancient Charlotte forward Marvin Williams.
“I’m very unhappy to be taught about Rick’s passing. Rick become a staple at Hornets games, relationship serve to my playing days at the extinct Charlotte Coliseum,” Hornets chairman Michael Jordan acknowledged. “He prided himself on being stunning and appropriate in his reporting, and I in truth respected that about him. Rick grew to change into the source for Hornets files in Charlotte, which speaks to his talent and professionalism. The Hornets’ household will fling over Rick’s friendly face at our games. I send my condolences to his household and chums.”
News of his death sparked a wave of tributes from at some stage in the sports world:
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