Danny Crawford spent more than three decades on NBA courts, making calls in some of the most intense games in basketball history. From Michael Jordan’s last night in a Bulls jersey to LeBron James’s 2016 comeback, his whistle was part of the soundtrack. He worked more than 2,000 regular-season games and 23 straight NBA Finals before retiring in 2017. Now at 71, he is part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025, joining stars like Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard . As he put it, “My life has been unbelievable. I have the greatest family, and I had the best job in the world.”

Those words give a clue to what stands behind his legacy. Crawford often mentioned how his life off the court shaped his work on it. His cool head and ability to listen came from more than just practice; they came

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