Mark Lane represented the best of us.
When he passed on Sunday morning, the sentiment across the sports media landscape he’d been so intimately involved in for the last decade was consistent: Mark was a hard worker, he was generous, he was kind and, unforgettably, he was hilarious.
His work ethic was never more fiercely on display than over the last two years. Even while the Houston Texans faded into NFL irrelevance and Mark faced a litany of health issues, both his own and those of his mother he cared for in Arkansas, he never stopped working. Mark even went as far as to bring supplemental oxygen last spring to Indianapolis to make sure that Texans fans saw the best coverage.
Mark was relentless.
The story of Mark is one that is also illustrated brilliantly by those that he worked with. His generosity and kindness knew no limits with his colleagues. He was one that was constantly offering opportunities to those looking to break into the space or new responsibilities for those looking to grow.
In a landscape where many would want to hoard interviews, articles and ideas, Mark ran counter-culture to that. Whether that was delegating interviews with the likes of Andre Johnson or J.J. Watt, or simply offering new opportunities for new writers, there was an undeniable joy and purpose in his consistent elevation of others. It should be no surprise that multiple current members of the Houston beat worked with Mark at some point.
His virtue was evident to everyone.
A gentle soul that never swore and never drank, Mark also never complained about the hand he was dealt. He truly fought a brave and courageous battle his entire life, whether that was when he defeated childhood cancer or the years afterward dealing with the downstream repercussions. His light spirit brought laughter and comfort to those who knew him best.
The NFL Wires community lost an important family member this weekend. There are countless stories and endless sentiments about a character that was impossible to say anything negative about. The NFL Wires are taking time today to pray for Mark’s family and share some of the most notable thoughts from those who knew Mark:
— By: John Crumpler, Texans Wire