Real Salt Lake Holds Moment Of Silence For Mark Eaton Before Kickoff

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake held a moment of silence before their match against Minnesota United FC to honor the life of Utah Jazz great Mark Eaton.

Before the match, Real Salt Lake players and coaches were still in the locker room but the fans at Rio Tinto Stadium held a moment of silence for Mark Eaton.

According to police, Eaton was found unconscious on Long Rife Roald in Summit County after going on an evening bike ride. The former center was transported to the hospital where he later passed away.

.@realsaltlake held a moment of silence for the late Mark Eaton prior to their game against Minnesota United. pic.twitter.com/2mzEz6FB8X

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 30, 2021

Standing 7’4, Eaton was one of the tallest players in NBA History, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award twice in 1985 and 1989.

The center was a five-time member of the NBA’s All-Defensive team, and joined teammates Karl Malone and John Stockton in the 1989 All-Star game in Houston, Texas.

RSL announced before their match that they would honor Eaton.

Others from around the community and the NBA honored the life of Eaton. TNT’s Inside the NBA paid tribute as well as the Memphis Grizzlies when they held a moment of silence before their Game 3 matchup against the Utah Jazz at Fedex Forum.