No. 14: substance over style

On Nov. 19, the Utah Jazz will retire Jeff Hornacek's jersey and drape his number over the Delta Center rafters. The numbers of Frank Layden, Mark Eaton, Pete Maravich and Darrell Griffith are already there. Hornacek played less than half his career for the Jazz, but for many — including himself — Utah was his home team.

As an athlete, he was cut from the same cloth as Cal Ripken Jr., Ernie Banks and a handful of other stars. Like them, he will be remembered more for what he was than what he did.

Hornacek worked hard. He was a realist. He had perspective. He could win without gloating and lose without grousing. In an era when players have an "attitude," Jeff Hornacek had a "good attitude."

In a word, he was mature.

Along with Karl Malone and John Stockton, the "family man" with the rounder's nickname gave the Jazz a domestic aura. Like Carol Burnett, who touched her ear at the end of each show to salute her mother, Hornacek stroked the side of his face when shooting freethrows to acknowledge his family.

Who can forget the man's "pro-reading" TV spot with his kids, where Mr. Unflappable screams like a scared rabbit at a ghost story?

Who hasn't seen the Hornaceks around town, waiting in line at the movies, buying greeting cards, going to church?

Jeff Hornacek meant as much to the Jazz off the court as he did on it.

On the court, he will be remembered as a major player in the state's "Golden Era" of basketball. Like the "Lombardi years" in Green Bay and the Ruth and Gehrig Yankee teams, the "Stockton to Malone" seasons will forever define the Jazz franchise. And much of the team's legacy can be laid at the feet of the shooting guard with the bad wheels and the Boy Scout grin. On the outside, Hornacek looked every bit the coach's kid he was. On the inside, however, he was an "old soul." He remains so today. He has always chosen substance over style and fundamentals over fun. He always will. Let the young stars give the game wings, Jeff Hornacek gave basketball something even more vital.

He gave it gravity.