Alonzo Mourning directs traffic, too

MIAMI, March 27 (UPI) -- Former Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning helped a disabled person in a motorized wheelchair cross a busy highway, observers said.

The 6-foot 10-inch Mourning blocked traffic Friday to help the wheelchair cross busy U.S. 1 near Bird Road in Miami, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.

Mourning was in sitting in traffic in his black SUV shortly before noon when he saw a disabled person sitting in a motorized wheelchair at the curb, the report said.

The seven-time NBA All-Star got out of his car and raised his arms to stop traffic so the wheelchair and its passenger could make it across the road.

The newspaper said it didn't take long before drivers recognized the temporary crossing guard.

Mourning, wearing a tie, a white dress shirt and slacks, modestly acknowledged the cheers of those who witnessed the incident before getting back in his car and driving away.