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
The epitome of one @therealmarklane.
Weaving through a pool of reporters to ask questions and conduct interviews while on an oxygen tank.
We ate lunch and I asked him why come this far.
“Someone’s gotta be here, right?”
Proudest moment of our friendship. https://t.co/Pw0QPW4Okd
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) February 18, 2024
Absolutely devastated to hear of @therealmarklane’s passing. He was an excellent reporter, and one of the hardest working people I’ve ever been around. I’ve missed working with him and his sense of humor, and I’m completely broken up to know I won’t get to talk with him again.
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) February 18, 2024
I met Mark Lane years ago when he attended a league meeting in Arizona. He didn’t know anyone. I introduced him to as many as possible because he was covering the NFL based in Arkansas. Mark was a wonderful guy who worked his ass off even after he had health issues. R.I.P.!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) February 18, 2024
Mark Lane covered the Texans and the NFL for our Wire network, and we were so lucky to have him. A brilliant, funny, gifted guy who worked so hard despite health issues that would have stopped a lot of people from doing so. It's just in some people to be that way.
You'll be…
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 18, 2024
Devastated over the loss of @therealmarklane. He was one of the hardest working people I’ve ever been around and did a fantastic job on Texans Wire as the site’s editor.
Incredibly witty and funny in our Slack chats. Always eager to learn and get better, but also willing to…
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) February 18, 2024
It was an absolute honor and pleasure to work with @therealmarklane at the NFL Wires. He was an amazing person and one of the hardest workers you'd ever come across. We lost a good one. He will be missed 💔
— Alyssa Barbieri (@AlyssaBarbieri) February 18, 2024
.@therealmarklane was one of the kindest, gentlest souls I have known. He was brilliant at statistics. Some people are dealt a bad hand in life and Mark was one of those. He overcame childhood cancer and fought like crazy to stay alive long enough to get a new lung. #RIP Mark. https://t.co/w6juJrgWfT
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) February 18, 2024
He would pour over pages of stats and pull out the most random, yet, oddly relevant connections. I remember one was like “Dak Prescott has trailed by 8+ points at home 5 times in his career, and he’s 3-2 in those games when the Cowboys got the ball to start the second half.”
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) February 18, 2024
I've been in this business for more than two decades, and I've never worked w/anyone like @therealmarklane.
One of the funniest, hardest-working, most unique human beings you could ever hope to meet.
See you on the other side, buddy. #RIP
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) February 18, 2024
I can't even begin to explain how much @therealmarklane helped me throughout the years. I owe him so much.
Mark was an incredible person and friend. I am going to miss him so much. https://t.co/lXThr1anHs
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 18, 2024
Devastated by the passing of @therealmarklane, someone I considered a brother of mine in real life.
You’ll hear a lot about his work ethic — unmatched, evidenced by working last year’s combine with an oxygen tank to the point I often had to force him to sit down and take a…
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) February 18, 2024
I really don’t have enough words today.
Mark Lane took a shot on a rising college senior and proceeded to become a big brother to me over the last 5 years.
There were few who worked harder or consistently led with prayer and kindness the way he did.
You will be missed, partner pic.twitter.com/ubZXLzTuFc
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) February 18, 2024
You’re going to sentiments today about the kind of man @therealmarklane was.
Let me show you what we mean.
He led with kindness. He always worked to create opportunities for others. He encouraged us to be the best version of ourselves. He taught me how to dive into covering… pic.twitter.com/LUVNSVJbP0
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) February 18, 2024
Absolutely devastated to hear @therealmarklane has passed away. He was an incredible colleague and friend. A brilliant mind, who worked extremely hard to care for his family. I'll miss sharing a meal whenever we crossed paths. I'll miss the random NFL facts he'd text me on a…
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) February 18, 2024
RIP Mark Lane
Tragic news.
Our guy passed away last night. I was just thinking that I hadn't interacted with him in a while on Wednesday, now he's gone.
— KD Drummond (@KDDrummondNFL) February 18, 2024
In all the time that I've been doing this is I've never come across ANYONE who worked as hard and as humbly as @therealmarklane.
Mark was driven, passionate, kind, gracious and selfless.
There will never be another Mark Lane. May he rest in peace. Prayers for the Lane family. https://t.co/r7dXZFMMjh
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) February 18, 2024
You will never find someone around here who worked as hard and as passionately as @therealmarklane.
He had a gift for all of this that he shared with us all. We will miss him greatly.
May he rest in peace. https://t.co/R8H9EzOSjZ
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) February 18, 2024
Life sucks man.
I just heard about the passing of Mark Lane. I got a chance to meet him virtually on a few occasions for some random #Jets, #Texans cross-over stories over the last few years.
Please pray for his family. He was one of the good guys, always had fun football… pic.twitter.com/yysxKCjLp8
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) February 18, 2024
Worked closely with Mark Lane during my time covering the @dallascowboys. We called ourselves the School of Fish while working under @fishsports. We bonded over our love for football, as well as the medical issues we both struggled with. Such a professional, kind hearted man. You… https://t.co/tGGj1iYA7g
— Jordan Ross (@TheJordanRoss) February 18, 2024
Damn sad to hear about Mark Lane. Good dude.
— Dan Ruppert (@Dan_Ruppert) February 18, 2024
Pretty gutted to hear about the passing of Mark Lane. He was also so polite and professional anytime we had him on the air to talk Cowboys/NFL with @1440KEYSAM
You’ll be missed, Mark. Stay hard.
— James Espinosa 🎙️ (@SirEdwardJames) February 18, 2024
Hard worker. Never asked for anyone’s sympathy. Just worked his ass off through everything. All my love to his friends and family. https://t.co/E2X4DhBHrQ
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) February 18, 2024
Terrible news. Mark was one of the hardest workers I ever met. He busted his ass and spent his own money to get to any and every event that he possibly could. He absolutely loved storytelling. You won't find a nicer person.
RIP @therealmarklane. https://t.co/sBFHokcN65
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) February 18, 2024
Mark was the first journalist outside of Baltimore on my podcast. I usually spend a few moments chatting with my guests before we record and something felt off. I asked him if everything was ok and he told me he was currently in the hospital with his mother and she wasn’t doing… https://t.co/JhbEtwGwnG
— Samuel Njoku (@RavensTalkPod) February 18, 2024
Please say a prayer for the family of @therealmarklane He passed away this morning…He was one of the best guys I have ever had the pleasure of knowing…@TheTexansWire family is also mourning the loss of our editor…
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) February 18, 2024
Devastated by the passing of @therealmarklane, someone I considered a brother of mine in real life.
You’ll hear a lot about his work ethic — unmatched, evidenced by working last year’s combine with an oxygen tank to the point I often had to force him to sit down and take a…
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) February 18, 2024
When I was starting as a Cowboys blogger, @therealmarklane was the first person in the community I ever met. He was so encouraging. Such a beautiful soul. RIP.
— Tom Ryle, disillusioned Cowboys fan (@TomRyleBTB) February 18, 2024
Thank you, @goldmctNFL, for introducing me to @therealmarklane years ago. He showed a passion for this business like nobody else and was always willing to help others. https://t.co/7jRjGMgYeQ
— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) February 18, 2024
Aw man… this one hurts. I never met @therealmarklane in person but we connected on here & he was such a genuine person
During the pandemic when I was as down in the dumps as I’ve ever been he reached out to encourage me & even offered financial help
The world lost a good one https://t.co/JZNqxUqk7F
— ‘Big’ Jim N. (@BigJimSports) February 18, 2024
Cowboys Nation and the entire NFL world lost a great one. @therealmarklane was one of the funniest, most knowledgeable people I’ve come across and been able to work with in this business.
He will be truly missed. My condolences go to him and his family. RIP. https://t.co/jZS6USwCcP
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) February 18, 2024
I was fortunate enough to have learned a lot from @therealmarklane. He gave me an opportunity and taught me a lot. You will be missed
— Chris Nalls (@TheChrisNalls) February 18, 2024
#Texans community, Mark loved you guys. He was a dedicated worker who always wanted to provide you with the best content possible.
He made Houston football more interesting. Please send thoughts and prayers to his family during this time.
They’re back, Mark.
You can rest now. https://t.co/HkE5rLOCxk
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) February 18, 2024
We lost a special one today in @therealmarklane. He busted his ass even while he was sick because it's the only way he knew how to be. Diligent, smart, curious and relentlessly supportive of everyone. I was honored to turn over @TheTexansWire to Mark and he made it better. RIP 🙏
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) February 18, 2024
Mark was such a wonderful guy. He worked his butt off and was one of the friendliest pros you could meet in the industry.
It didn’t matter who you were, he treated you with respect and kindness.
Awful news. Thinking of his family and colleagues. https://t.co/2kCku11wUe
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) February 18, 2024
I didn’t know Mark well but he was absolutely delightful when we finally met in person. Health issues are the reverse lotto, and all we can do is try to help as we can to make it as loving and easier for people’s journeys. So sorry to hear this news, prayers for his peoples ❤️🙏🏻 https://t.co/bKAmob3S2S
— Stephanie Stradley (@StephStradley) February 18, 2024
Hearts are heavy for me and many who work on the NFL Wire. We lost @therealmarklane far too early.
Such a great guy. I know I'm going to miss him a lot.
RIP, Mark.
— Jess Root (@senorjessroot) February 18, 2024
Deepest condolences to the family of Mark Lane @therealmarklane a great guy gone way too soon. Mark was so dedicated to covering the #NFL especially #Texans Seeing him at the scouting combine, he was battling every day, even with an oxygen tank attached to him, still doing… https://t.co/cbU0LNjC6w
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 18, 2024
Really good friend! Always there for anyone! Helped all media outlets with his great coverage and would be willing share work! RIP my friend! 🙏🏼 @therealmarklane
— EA (@easportsdfw) February 18, 2024
I messaged Mark to come on my YT channel when I was only at 1k subs. We never recorded, instead he gave me advice for 30mins on content creation and then apologized for taking up my time. An example of the kindness Mark always carried himself with. I’m forever grateful for those…
— Harley Dugan (@TheLead_HOU) February 18, 2024
I’m sad to hear @therealmarklane passed away this morning. I’ve known Mark since our days at Rogers State. He showed his work ethic then between classes, work, hosting a radio show, and doing his Cowboys recaps on YouTube.
— Steve Braun (@1stevebraun) February 18, 2024
A few years back. Every time Mark came to visit, we’d spend hours just shooting the breeze. I’d be done with work and annoy the crap out of him with Cowboys talk.
Crump eventually got in on the fun. He’d call me every car ride back for another 90 minute convo.
I miss my friend. pic.twitter.com/IT2n92mc3B
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) February 18, 2024
It may have finally won, but you never truly lost. Rest well, my brother. 💔🕊️
See you later. 😞 https://t.co/0ocWQskCmC
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) February 18, 2024
