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.
Everyone was wondering what happened to Carrie Underwood’s husband
Carrie Underwood, together with her husband Mike Fisher, are a common couple on the red carpet. They have walked together at some of the world’s most prestigious award ceremonies, including the Grammys, CMA Awards, and American Music Awards.
Usually, we can’t get over how cute this retired hockey player’s spouse is with her country music star husband.
The CMT Music Awards is one event where Fisher is always sure to be seen warmly supporting his wife. Seasons in which the former standout player for the Nashville Predators appeared with Underwood were 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Award shows experienced a slight alteration in operations after the epidemic, but Fisher reunited with his amazing wife in 2022.
But when the 2023 CMT Awards were held in Austin, Texas on April 2, Fisher was nowhere to be found. So what’s the deal?
Don’t think that Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood are at odds with each other in paradise. He declined to go in person to support his wife, who was up for both Female Video of the Year and Video of the Year at the 2023 CMT Awards.
When asked where her husband was, the “Hate My Heart” singer said, “On the red carpet, he was really on dad duty for the evening.”
“My partner is in charge of the kids. He usually keeps things running while I work on tasks like these. She called out to her three boys, and even at home, she appeared to be keeping an eye on them. Oh no!
Notably, compared to prior years, the former hockey great most likely did not have as much access to the 2023 award presentation. The CMTs have recently taken place in Nashville, the birthplace of country music.
This incident took place near Franklin, Underwood, and Fisher’s suburban Nashville home. However, in November 2022, the award presentation was scheduled to relocate to Texas.
Underwood looked amazing in a rhinestone two-piece that would have placed her on any Best Dressed list, yet it appeared as though she was making the most of her time in Texas, away from her sons.
Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher, who are well-known, try to keep their two children, Jacob and Isaiah, out of the spotlight. In order to avoid disturbing their routine, Fisher and the singer of “Jesus Take the Wheel” decided not to bring the kids on tour with them last year.
Underwood stated, “They are not coming with me this time,” to ET Canada. “My oldest child’s education is our top priority, and she is enrolled in school. We want their lives to be as normal as possible.
Fisher is a hands-on parent, Underwood continued, which frees her up to concentrate on her work. I also think of myself as fortunate. She muttered, “I have to brag a little about my hubby. “He understands it. When I’m not here, he keeps it under lock and key. I never have to worry about lunches that aren’t packed or unclean laundry.
That makes sense, too, given Fisher’s desire to become a parent. Before Isaiah was born in 2015, he told The Tennessean how excited he was to become a father.
Regarding having children, he remarked, “Many say it’s impossible to explain until it happens, and then it’s the greatest thing ever.” “I’m just thinking about how I can be the best father I can be.”
It wasn’t always like this, even if Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood appear to be the ideal pair right now. Underwood initially doubted Fisher’s ability to be a good mother, but Fisher has always desired to be a caring mother.
The country music icon stated, “I’ve never been fantastic with other people’s children. Why would I be terrific with one of my own?” in the documentary “Mike and Carrie: God & Country.” She added that at first, having a family wasn’t even at the top of her list of priorities.
“I don’t think I ever thought about getting married and starting a family,” the woman stated. “I can play well alone.” Fisher, on the other hand, was the total opposite.
I was reared with my three other siblings. My parents were also great. And I believe that’s all I was hoping for,” he remarked. “I wanted to be the best father I could be, to be like my father, and to have a wife like my mother.” and have children while living in the country.
All in all, though, everything worked out well because Underwood and Fisher, along with their two children, now live in the nation. After Isaiah was born, Underwood’s entire perspective on fatherhood had dramatically altered. It has changed the kind of person I am. Now I feel better. I’m in a better mood most of the time,” she stated in a Redbook Mag interview. “I’m totally smitten!”
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