Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at 69, as reported by La Salle University’s athletics department.
According to La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that Joe had recently suffered a stroke, although the exact cause of death has not been confirmed.
La Salle University, where Joe both played and coached, released a statement saying he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Joe was an accomplished basketball player in his own right, having been drafted as the 14th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA draft. He played four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, three seasons with the San Diego Clippers, and one season with the Houston Rockets, in addition to his time playing in Europe.
The 76ers honored Joe as “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.”
His sudden passing comes four years after the tragic deaths of his son Kobe and granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven others.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared her condolences on Instagram, saying, “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.”
Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe, praised Joe as the perfect 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 inspired us all 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, vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe’s agent, expressed his sorrow over Joe’s passing and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philadelphia 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.
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Elon Musk’s Savage Four-Word Reply to Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift Booed at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans
Taylor Swift had an unexpected moment at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, where the reception was far from welcoming.
Not only did her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs leave the game without a victory, but Swift herself faced loud boos when she appeared on the big screen.
Swift’s Reaction to the Crowd
Despite being one of the most beloved music icons with a massive global fanbase, Swift wasn’t spared from a less-than-friendly reception at the Super Bowl.
Attending the game at Caesars Superdome to support Kelce, Swift was simply enjoying the matchup when cameras caught her on screen. However, rather than cheers, the crowd erupted in boos.
Seemingly caught off guard, Swift turned to her friend, rapper Ice Spice, and was seen mouthing, “What is going on?” Her reaction suggested genuine surprise at the unexpected negativity.
A possible explanation? Swift, originally from Pennsylvania, has publicly supported the Philadelphia Eagles in the past. She was even spotted wearing an Eagles sweatshirt in New York City years ago. But since dating Kelce, she has aligned herself with the Chiefs—a shift some Eagles fans in the stadium may not have appreciated.
Donald Trump Chimes In
The moment didn’t escape the attention of former President Donald Trump, who took to Truth Social to comment.
“The only one who had a tougher night than the Kansas City Chiefs was Taylor Swift. She got BOOED out of the stadium. MAGA is very unforgiving!” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Trump himself received a notably warm welcome from the crowd, with many fans showing excitement at his presence.
The Twitter account End Wokeness also highlighted the contrast, tweeting: “Taylor Swift got mercilessly booed. Trump got a hero’s welcome. Total culture shift.”
Elon Musk’s Take
Elon Musk, a frequent critic of Swift and a vocal Trump supporter, weighed in with a short but sharp comment: “Vibe shift is real.”
This isn’t the first time Musk has taken jabs at Swift. After she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris, Musk previously joked, “Fine Taylor… you win… I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life,” referencing Swift’s lighthearted “childless cat lady” remark.
While Swift may have faced boos at the Super Bowl, her dedicated fanbase remains unwavering. As for the crowd’s reaction, it seems sports loyalty and politics continue to be major talking points, even in the entertainment world.
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