Karl Malone Poses In Front Of Statue Before Game One

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – No Utah Jazz fans, you’re not seeing double, there are in fact two versions of Karl Malone standing in front of Vivint Arena.

In a photo posted to Twitter by Malone’s son KJ, the Hall of Fame power forward is seen standing next to the statue in the plaza of the team’s arena as the Jazz prepare to open their playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.

Malone, clad in his patented plaid shirt, long pants, and work boots leans against his statue, looking as inconspicuous as a 6’9, 260 lbs man can while standing next to the 15-foot tall bronze monolith that bears his likeness.

Back home pic.twitter.com/MimnYXP1Kd

— KJ Malone (@KarlMalonejr63) June 7, 2021

In a separate video post, the now graying Malone removes his sunglasses and says “Giddy up, cowboy, you know the rest.”

The bronzed Malone statue sits next to the one of Hall of Fame teammate John Stockton, both of which have stood at the downtown arena for more than 15 years.

Having retired in 2004, Malone now resides in Louisiana where he still takes in Jazz games on television, but rarely attends in person. The star retired to his remote home near where he grew up, and like Stockton, has mostly avoided the public spotlight.

Though the elder Malone has left social media, KJ is far from shy about his ongoing Jazz fandom.

After a prominent football career at LSU, KJ Malone retired from the game after a rookie minicamp with the Houston Texans in 2019 and has been a frequent visitor to Jazz games both at home and on the road in recent season.

Malone’s son’s social media presence has also allowed Jazz fans to keep tabs on the two-time MVP in retirement.

The Mailman continues to deliver support for the @utahjazz.#TakeNote https://t.co/Co57bkiBKB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

With Malone and family expected to back in Vivint Arena to open the second round, Jazz fans will be happy to have the former superstar back home once again.