Ex-Dallas Mavs center Shawn Bradley made a name for himself in the NBA as an excellent shot-blocker, as the 7'6″ big man finished in the top-ten of NBA players in the blocker per game statistic all-time. However, since retiring in 2005, Bradley's post-NBA life hasn't always been easy, as he suffered a tragic bicycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, the ex-Mavs center spoke out on the tragic accident.

Before Finley left, Bradley savored a goodbye hug. “It’s hard for me to let them see me like this,” he said afterward, choking back tears. “It’s the challenge of remembering what once was . . . and knowing it’ll never be the same.”

Ex-Mavs center Shawn Bradley met with his former teammate and the franchise's vice president of basketball operations, Michael Finley. The two became good friends during their time together in Dallas, which is why Bradley became emotional when the two embraced.

The former Mavs big man acknowledged the sad reality that he'll never walk again after he made a career out of doing so much more than that. Not only that, but his teammates and colleagues are seeing him deal with the effects of such a tragedy, not only on his body, but also his mental health.

Bradley was paralyzed while riding his bike in January of 2021 when a minivan rear-ended his bicycle during a ride he often frequented in his neighborhood in St. George, Utah. The ex-Mavs center's large frame has made life in a wheelchair, already challenging, even more difficult.

This is nothing short of a tragedy and ex-Mavs center Shawn Bradley, as well as his family, deserve to be in the sports world's thoughts as they continue to navigate this new reality.