Page "Kermit Washington" Paragraph 20

Washington saw Tomjanovich running toward the altercation.

Not knowing that he intended to break up the fight, Washington hit Tomjanovich with a roundhouse punch.

The blow, which took Tomjanovich by surprise, fractured his face about one-third of an inch ( 8 mm ) away from his skull and left Tomjanovich unconscious in a pool of blood in the middle of the arena.

Jabbar likened the sound of the punch to a watermelon being dropped onto concrete.

Tomjanovich had a reputation around the league as a peacemaker.

Players involved say that right after Tomjanovich collapsed the absence of sound at the arena, which was filled with shocked fans, was " the loudest silence you have ever heard.

" Reporters heard the sound of the punch all in the way in the second floor press box, and some rushed to the playing floor in disbelief.