Another terrible loss for the Bryant family, sending prayers

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.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Related Posts

Fans left in shock at Madonna’s new look during recent concert

Madonna made a bold statement at her sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, showcasing her muscles in a skimpy red négligée. The daring outfit served…

A Cowboy And An Atheist Pass The Time Talking About God

It is always interesting when you strike up a conversation with somebody you’ve never met before. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, there is typically…

I Went to Pick Up My Wife and

I arrived at the hospital excited to bring home my wife, Suzie, and our newborn twins. But when I entered the room, I found only the babies…

What To Do If Bitten By An Assassin Bug

Summertime is great, but it also brings along with it ticks, mosquitos, and other pests. Just when we thought we had enough bugs to deal with, along…

Officials Now Know What Happened To 4 Dead Bears Found Outside Church

The cause of death of multiple bears that were discovered in a Pennsylvania church parking lot has been revealed. The West Wyoming Borough Police Department was called…

(VIDEO)You’ve never heard “The Sound of Silence” like this before & the amazing harmonies of Lifein3D will leave you flabbergasted

This version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” is totally unique because these three young siblings took the famous song to a whole new level….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *