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.
Fans say Roseanne Barr’s living situation is a ‘mess’ after star posts photo of bed
Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr made a big move to her macadamia nut farm in Hawaii after deciding to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
She even made the decision to eat a diet higher in plants!
Along with her longtime partner Johnny Argen, the aspiring farmer has been enjoying her quiet life on the 46-acre property.
Barr paid $1.78 million for the 2,212-square-foot Hawaiian refuge in 2007, which has stunning 360-degree views of the verdant grounds around the property.
The house, which has three bedrooms and three and a half baths, has served as Barr’s peaceful retreat in her senior years.
It gives Barr great pleasure to bring her granddaughters to the farm amid the peaceful surroundings. She once posted a cute photo of herself and her granddaughters walking over a large field of grass, showing a tender moment between a grandparent and a grandchild.
While appreciating the sweet moment, fans couldn’t help but remark on how different the legendary comedian she used to be was from the grandmother role she currently plays.
Barr gave an honest look into her life when she posted a picture of herself soundly dozing among boxes, clothes, and a laptop. Instagram users joked about the photo, captioning it, “Shop till you drop.” One user even suggested, “Fire your housekeeper!!!!”
Another person said, “No, she doesn’t need to fire her housekeeper [sic].” She is the one causing all of the mess! How depressing to see her like this! Extremely depressing! I am aware that nobody is flawless. However, no one would want to see her like this—she’s a huge celebrity! Yes, everyone has bad days from time to time, so you have every right to express that, but really—no way! You are far superior to that!
“Love Roseanne but I thought you were [sic] looking at a homeless camp [illegal substance] addict who passed out,” commented a third commenter.
Oh no. Individuals can be very rude at times!
Despite the divergent viewpoints, it’s obvious that Roseanne is still admired for her comedy and genuineness, whether she’s navigating farm life or sharing intimate moments.
How does Roseanne Barr seem to you? Tell us in the comments below!
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