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.
George W. Bush celebrates the arrival of his grandson, named in tribute to his great-grandfathers
Former U.S. President George W. Bush, now 78, joyfully announced the birth of his new grandson on social media.
On Tuesday, August 6, Bush shared a heartfelt photo on Instagram to celebrate the arrival of his daughter Barbara Pierce Bush’s second child with husband Craig Coyne. The couple, who already have a 2-year-old daughter, Cora Georgia, welcomed their son, Edward Finn, just days earlier.
In the sweet photo, Barbara and Craig are seen in a hospital bed, tenderly holding their newborn as they gaze at him with joy. “Welcome to the world, Edward Finn Coyne. @laurawbush and I are proud grandparents of our newest blessing, born on August 4 and lovingly named in honor of his great-grandfathers,” Bush captioned the post. He added, “Congratulations to Barbara, Craig, and big sister Cora Georgia.”
Barbara’s twin sister, Jenna Bush Hager, was the first to share the happy news on Monday, August 5. Jenna, co-anchor of the Today show, expressed her excitement about becoming an aunt again on Instagram, writing, “My sissy had a little mister and I fell madly in love with Edward Finn! ❤️💗👼.”
Jenna’s post included a series of photos from the family’s special moments after Edward’s birth. In one, Jenna is seen feeding her new nephew, while another shows Barbara cradling Edward with Jenna admiring the scene. A third photo captures Edward peacefully resting in his mother’s arms.
Though Jenna didn’t share specific birth details, one of the photos shows Edward wearing a hat from NYU Langone Health, suggesting Barbara may have given birth at the prestigious New York City hospital.
This is not the first time George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, have expressed their joy over becoming grandparents. When Barbara and Craig welcomed their daughter Cora in September 2021, the Bushes released a statement to announce the news.
“With full hearts, @laurawbush and I are delighted to announce the birth of our new granddaughter. Barbara gave birth to Cora Georgia Coyne on September 27, 2021, in Maine – not far from our family home where Barbara and Craig were married,” the couple shared at the time. “Cora is healthy and adorable, and we are proud and grateful.”
Now, with the addition of Edward Finn, the Bush family has even more to celebrate!
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