"But to me, I'm going to enjoy it before somebody do something to it, today," said the Mailman, who still had the rest of the night's activities to get through before he could spend a little private time with himself.

Mary Kaye Huntsman, wife of Utah's governor, was first to speak at the statue unveiling, presenting Malone with an official proclamation from the state as news helicopters hovered overhead, often drawing skyward gazes from Malone during the ceremonies.

Mrs. Huntsman told how, when a Huntsman daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes some eight years ago, "The first person I called was (Karl's wife) Kay, who immediately came over and helped with what we were going through."

Karl and Kay are longtime Huntsman friends.

Later, when the daughter "ran down the street," upset over her predicament, it was Karl "who picked up the pieces," went out and found her and brought her home and "gave her a pep talk telling her she was going to make it, she was going to be OK," said Mrs. Huntsman. "That's the Karl that I know and love."

Also speaking were NBA commissioner David Stern, sculptor Brian Challis, Jazz owner Larry H. Miller and Malone's former teammate John Stockton, as well as Malone himself, speaking in front of the statue and not to it at the moment.

"Just so there's no guessing where I'm at," said Miller, who's had legendary spats with Malone that were always privately patched up, "I love you."

Stockton spoke of, "How proud I am of him as a friend, as a man. We've been through a lot together and yet my respect grows more and more every day. It's an honor to call you a friend and a brother, Karl, thanks for all the years."

During the earlier press conference, Stockton spoke of how Malone often carried the weight of the team and organization. "He's had to shoulder things I can't even imagine, and he's done it with grace and dignity," Stockton said. "I was just blessed to play with the best power forward in the game for 18 years."

Other former teammates in attendance included Jeff Hornacek, Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey and Pace Mannion, who stood near Malone's former high school and college coaches and first Jazz coach, Frank Layden, at the halftime ceremony.

Malone's friends and family helped him pull the cord to reveal the jersey banner of Malone's No. 32 in the old Jazz-note uniform, same as the one on the statue.

"It all worked because of the big fella in the middle," Stockton told the halftime crowd that cheered so much Malone could hardly begin speaking.

Later, Malone said the wild standing ovation made him feel like he was playing again. "It's just an awesome feeling."

To his old teammates, Malone said, "You knew where the ball was going all the time, and you accepted it."