SALT LAKE CITY — While the sports world focused on Gordon Hayward’s return to Utah and the public treatment he (BOO!) received from (BOO!) Jazz fans (BOO!) in his (BOO!) first (BOO!) game (BOO!) back (BOOOOO!), the family of the recently slain North Ogden mayor, Maj. Brent Taylor, received a much warmer welcome in private.
Jazz president Steve Starks is lifelong friends with Mike Ashworth, the brother of Taylor’s wife Jennie, and wanted to show the NBA organization’s gratitude for Taylor’s sacrifice and to give the grieving family a slice of happiness during a brutally tough time.
Starks grew up in North Ogden so Taylor’s tragic death hit close to home and to his heart.