Rodney Rogers, who spent 12 years in the NBA and won a Sixth Man of the Year award died on Friday at the age of 54. His time at NBA came after the legendary college career at Wake Forest.
Wake Forest University shared a statement from his wife, Faye, announcing that he'd passed away, as per TMZ. WFU Vice President and director of athletics, John Currie, wrote “Rodney Rogers transformed and accelerated the upward trajectory of Wake Forest University as well as Demon Deacons basketball from the moment he signed his letter of intent in the fall of 1989.”
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“His generational combination of power and grace as a player was exceeded only by the size of his heart. His perseverance and spirit following his accident inspired thousands and embodied the true meaning of Pro Humanitate. Rodney showed us what strength looks like in every chapter of life. Our hearts are with Faye, Roddreka, Rodney II, Rydeiah and the entire Rogers family,” he added, as per New York Post.
Rodney Rogers cause of death
While TMZ reported that his wife Faye had shared the news of his passing, she did not share a cause of death. However, she did mention the 2008 accident that had left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulder down.
What to know about Rodney Rogers accident
{{/usCountry}}While TMZ reported that his wife Faye had shared the news of his passing, she did not share a cause of death. However, she did mention the 2008 accident that had left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulder down.
What to know about Rodney Rogers accident
{{/usCountry}}Rogers had suffered an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident. He was riding in the woods of rural Vance County in North Carolina when he'd fallen off the vehicle.
Rodney Rogers remembered by Wake Forest
Wake Forest remembered Rogers after his demise, saying he left behind “a towering legacy as one of the most transformative players in program history and an enduring example of courage, generosity, and Pro Humanitate spirit.”
"Known as the "Durham Bull" during his prep career, Rogers brought that same power and relentlessness to Winston-Salem. He became the catalyst for elevating Wake Forest men's basketball into one of the nation's premier programs throughout the 1990s," they added.