Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan expressed his grief over the sudden passing of Charlotte beat reporter Rock Bonnell on Tuesday.

According to The Charlotte Observer where he worked, Bonnell was their first beat reporter for the Hornets during their inaugural season in 1988-89 season. He had been on the job for 33 years, and he was even breaking stories for the team this past 2020-21 season.

Bonnell had developed a great relationship not only with the Hornets, but also to their fans and community who eagerly await his stories on the team.

Jordan, for his part, honored Bonnell and his contributions to the team and the fan base, highlighting how much he respects his work and what he has done throughout his career as a journalist.

“I’m very sad to learn about Rick’s passing,” Michael Jordan said in a statement, via NBA.com.

“Rick was a staple at Hornets games, dating back to my playing days at the old Charlotte Coliseum. He prided himself on being fair and honest in his reporting, and I truly respected that about him. Rick became the source for Hornets news in Charlotte, which speaks to his talent and professionalism. The Hornets’ family will miss Rick’s friendly face at our games. I send my condolences to his family and friends.”

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The Hornets also released their own statement on the tragic news, with players like Cody Zeller, Terry Rozier and Marvin Williams all speaking out as well.

According to The Observer, Bonnell was found dead in his home on Tuesday. He was 63. While no immediate cause of death has been revealed, it is believed he passed away due to natural causes.

Rick Bonnell will sorely be missed, and he will forever be remembered as a legend in Charlotte and in the sports community.