Former NBA star Robert “Tractor” Taylor was found dead at his apartment in San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to reports, Traylor died of an apparent heart attack. He was only 34 years old.
Traylor was a popular player in high school and at the University of Michigan. Nicknamed “Tractor” Traylor because of his robust frame, he earned acclaim during his college years for being an agile 300-pound player.
He was eventually a lottery pick and played over 400 games in the NBA. But his weight became a problem over the years and he struggled to stay in shape.
After his NBA career ended, Traylor earned a spot on several teams overseas and recently played for the Bayamon Cowboys in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Traylor’s death should bring more awareness to the problem of obesity that continues to plague the black community. Although Traylor remained physically active on the basketball court, his inability to maintain a proper weight created severe health problems.
Taylor is survived by his wife and two children. –a.r.
