Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69, La Salle University’s athletics department reported.
Citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Joe had recently suffered a stoke. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet.
La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, said in a statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Just like his famous son, Joe was a renowned basketball player himself. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season. He also played in Europe.
The 76ers paid tribute to Joe, calling him “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”
Joe’s sudden passing comes four years after the tragic death of his son Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash with seven other people.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday, “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing.
“We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”
Former Kobe teammate Doug Young praised Joe as the ideal “role model.”
“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”
Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe Bryant’s agent, expressed his sadness over the loss of Joe and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
May he rest in peace.
Heartwarming Moment: Girl Invites Awkward Dad To Dance, Then He Steals The Show
Dancing is a universal form of self-expression that many of us use to mark significant life events and communicate our emotions.
As a matter of fact, a lot of us begin dancing as early as the time we can walk. It’s a simple and enjoyable method to establish connections with ourselves and others.
The father-daughter dance is among the most endearing and poignant dances.
These dances have been cherished customs performed at weddings and other special occasions for many years.
At one of these events, fathers and their kids can have a precious and meaningful moment together.
Jessica Hanley knew just how she wanted her father and daughter to perform a dance.
In the Jewish faith, a girl’s bat mitzvah, or 13th birthday, signifies her official transition into maturity.
Jessica wanted to have a particular moment with her father, Mike Hanley, even though her friends and family were there.
We weren’t disappointed by Mike, who is renowned for his humor. When he was called to the stage for the first time, it might have appeared as though he was simply following the crowd.
But as the dance progressed, it became evident that he had a surprise in store.
Their dance, which demonstrated the deep bond between a father and daughter, was expertly executed.
The audience was enthralled as they joyfully and emotionally danced as a group.
These kinds of occasions serve as a reminder of the power of dance to express love, commemorate life’s significant moments, and create enduring memories.
At Jessica’s bat mitzvah, the father-daughter dance was more than just a routine.
They conveyed their closeness to one another in a heartfelt way, and it was a memory they would always cherish.
Please TAG your loved ones and friends in this fantastic article!
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