I was surrounded by giants.

Actually, they were members of the Utah Jazz. Like I said, giants. Stand next to players on any NBA team in an airport and that's what they are in comparison to normal-size people.

I was in Phoenix. It was the mid-1980s and my first trip with the Jazz. I boarded the team's charter bus with the players and coaches.

Before we departed for the hotel, Frank Layden, coach and general manager, stood at the front of the bus and began counting heads. He stopped when he came to me.

"Excuse me, sir. Are you with the Utah Jazz?"

I explained I was in the sports department at the Deseret News and was taking the place of the regular Jazz beat writer for this trip.

"Oh, of course. Nice to have you with us, John," he responded.

The confusion was understandable. Layden and the team hadn't had any interaction with me until that time.

About an hour after reaching the hotel I got a phone call.

"John? This is Scott Layden. My dad and I were wondering if you'd like to go with us to spring training this afternoon."

It was February, which meant a number of major league baseball teams were in the Phoenix area — Scottsdale and Mesa — for spring training. I gladly joined the Laydens that afternoon to watch the San Francisco Giants practice.

The Laydens didn't have to take me under their wing, but that's the kind of people they are. The Jazz have been blessed with people of sterling character — individuals who have not let their so-called riches and celebrity status go to their heads.

I've had a number of interactions with Frank Layden over the years, and they've all been positive. Never has there been an attitude of "Boy, you're lucky I'm giving you the time of day, because I'm special." Because of Layden's genuine concern for others, he is special.

He rearranged his schedule so he could address the Associated Press Sports Editors Western Region Convention, hosted by the Deseret News, in the fall of 1992. And he was happy to be the keynote speaker for the first Deseret News All-State basketball banquet in 1995, staying after as many of those honored wanted to have their pictures taken with him. He's always been prompt returning phone calls.

I've had my share of exchanges with sports professionals who were the opposite of Layden.

A National Football League team owner made it quite clear that I was fortunate to be able to speak to him for a brief moment following remarks he made at a national sports editors convention about 10 years ago.

A former BYU player was on the team and so I approached him to ask him about that particular player. I introduced myself and held out my hand, which he ignored. Instead, he looked me up and down as if I was carrying the bubonic plague. He gave a couple of brief, crisp answers and then was on his way.

Once those people lose their prominence, they lose their "friends" as well. Who wants to be around a constant sourpuss unless he or she has to?

Layden is comfortable in any setting because he likes people. He realizes that while sports and all that surrounds it are important, they're only part of a bigger picture that starts with family, friends and people.

You don't have to be a fellow coach or an athlete for people like Layden to care about you.

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He was a great ambassador for the Jazz, the NBA and all of sports because of that caring.

But more than that, he's a great human being.


Deseret News editorial writer John Robinson can be reached by e-mail at

jrob@desnews.com

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