It's been a tough week for local sports icons.
First we lost Hall of Fame Eagles wide receiver Tommy McDonald.
On today's editorial page, we delve into the special connection McDonald had with Philly fans, including one of our own, Daily Times alum and Hall of Fame sports writer Ray Didinger, who penned the play "Tommy and Me" based on his childhood experiences with the Eagles great.
It was largely through Ray's efforts that McDonald was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
We note that McDonald was more than that, he was a Hall of Fame person.
Then late yesterday we got word of the passing of local hoops icon Jack McKinney.
McKinney played and coached at the legendary Saint James High School in Chester before also starring at Saint Joseph's. Eventually he would coach the Hawks before landing in the NBA, where he was the head coach when Magic Johnson joined the Lakers.
His career was sidetracked by a serious bicycle accident that left him in a coma. Paul Westhead took over the Lakers at that point. The Lakers would go on to win an NBA title under Westhead. McKinney eventually recovered and moved on.
McKinney also had coaching stints with the Indiana Pacers, where he won NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1980-81 after leading the Pacers to their first ever playoff appearance. He also coached the Kansas City Kings for nine games at the start of the 1984-85 campaign, but resigned nine games into the season after the Kings had managed just one victory.
You can read Terry Toohey's story here.
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