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.
Jennifer Aniston’s Dress at the Emmys 2024 Is Getting Slammed – Find Out Why
Some people online were not happy with the dress Jennifer Aniston wore to the awards event, while others loved it.
At the 2024 Emmys on Sunday, September 15, Jennifer Aniston, 55, made a stunning appearance on the red carpet in a strapless dress. The “Morning Show” star, who briefly mentioned working with her co-star Reese Witherspoon at the Emmys, received a lot of reactions online about her outfit.
Aniston wore a beautiful silver gown by the famous designer Oscar de la Renta. The strapless dress was adorned with intricate beadwork that matched perfectly with her jewelry.
To add even more elegance, Aniston wore a stunning diamond and platinum ring, bracelet, and vintage earrings from Tiffany & Co. She kept her blonde and dark-colored hair loose.
Several pop culture websites posted eye-catching photos and videos of Aniston striking poses on the red carpet. Fans and critics online had strong reactions to the coverage of her appearance.
Some people were not impressed with her outfit and shared their thoughts online. One person on Facebook commented, “She has worn this look so many times,” while another said, “It doesn’t fit well at the waist. She always goes for the same style. .”
Another person echoed similar thoughts, writing, “Omg, change your look; it’s always the same…” Agreeing with this view, another commenter said, “She’s beautiful, but it’s always the same!” Meanwhile, a Facebook user simply stated, “Overrated!”
While some believe Aniston’s latest look is repetitive, Page Six reports that at the 2024 SAG Awards, she chose a different route with a sparkling silver gown from Celine.
Before this year’s Emmys and the SAG Awards, Aniston usually favored a little black dress (LBD) for red carpets. However, she broke from her usual style when she wore a red Reformation dress, priced under $300, to an Emmy Awards pre-show event earlier in 2024.
Despite the criticism Aniston faced for her 2024 Emmys look, many people praised her appearance as well. The official Instagram account for the Emmys/Television Academy celebrated her style with a post that featured photos of the actress and the caption, “She is beauty she is grace – #JenniferAniston
“She looks absolutely stunning!!” exclaimed a fan on Facebook. Another admirer praised her by saying, “Perfect always yet appears effortless and always classy. Admirable especially when others are showing their underwear. She really stands out.”
Their series, “The Morning Show,” was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. While on the red carpet, Jennifer Aniston chatted briefly with E! about her working relationship with Reese Witherspoon.
She shared, “We’ve grown up together. We were kids together and now we’re grown-ups together… I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
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