'Not again.'
Those were among the first words to tumble awkwardly off the quivering lips of Celtics fans on this day 15 years ago. We had only just started to get past the loss of Len Bias. And then we heard the news.
Reggie Lewis was dead.
The Celtics had just come off a 48 win season. Reggie succeeded Larry Bird as Team Captain. He put up 21 points a game in the regular season. The 17 points he'd score in 13 minutes against Charlotte in the first game of the playoffs would be his last. He collapsed on the court and would miss the rest of the series. He collapsed again on July 27, 1993. That time, he never got up.
Reggie Lewis was destined for greatness. Reggie Lewis should have been hugging Paul Pierce and a former Celtic in his mid-40's. I should have that picture hanging in my office. Former captain and current captain. Torch being passed.
I'll never forget standing in my room watching his funeral on TV. Sobbing like I'd lost my own brother… knowing we'd lost a great player, and a true Celtic.
We will always miss you Reggie.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
