Former Philadelphia 76ers center, Darryl Dawkins passed Thursday at the age of 58 due to a heart attack according to a statement released by his family.
For those unfamiliar, Dawkins was a big time power dunker in the mid 70s, early 80s. He was famously known for breaking two backboards in the 1979 season with rim shattering dunks. Shaquille O’neal the greatest power dunker of my time called Dawkins “The Father of Power Dunking” stating, “I’m just one of his sons”.
This was not his most popular moniker though. His most popular nickname was given to him by no other than Stevie Wonder. Dawkins revealed during an interview that Wonder gave him the name in the locker room after a home game. A guy who would attend the games with Stevie, would tell him that the big chocolate guy just dunked. From there he came up with the name “Chocolate Thunder” and it stuck.
With all of the on-court accolades, including being the first player drafted out of high school in the first round, Dawkins was even bigger off the court. He remained popular after his playing days were done, serving as a member of the ever so entertaining Harlem Globetrotters. He would name his dunks — the “look out below,” the “yo-mama” and the “rim wrecker” among them — and often boasted that he hailed from the “Planet Lovetron.” Dawkins also served as an ambassador for NBA Nation, as well as a judge at the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.
Dawkins personality will be truly missed in the sports world, as many current and former players have sent out their condolences to his family. He made a huge impact on the gme of basketball, and continued to give back after his playing days. One accomplishment he made I am sure will never be matched, it will never be another man able to get men across the U.S. to call him “Chocolate Thunder”.
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