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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In 1983, a 16-pound baby caught everyone’s attention: You won’t believe what he looks like now!
In 1983, Patricia Clarke, then 24, had a strong feeling that her baby was about to get bigger. There were many big babies in her family, but the size of her newborn still surprised her.
Patricia gave birth to Kevin Robert Clark, who weighed an astonishing 16 pounds, making him possibly the largest baby born at Community Memorial Hospital and possibly in New Jersey at the time. Despite his size, Kevin was perfectly healthy, although he did not fit into a standard crib and his baby clothes were too small.
Kevin’s extraordinary height quickly made him famous, with appearances on popular shows such as Saturday Night Live and Good Morning America. As he grew up, his height continued to make headlines. By age 12, he was already 5’7″ and continued to grow. By the time he reached middle school, he was 6’5″ and he didn’t stop there.
Kevin humorously tells the New York Post: “Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask me how tall I am. I like to joke that I’m 5’9″. When people ask if I play basketball, I ask them if they play mini golf.”
Now 40, Kevin is a former soldier who lives with his 6’1″ wife and their Great Dane. He has grown to an impressive height of 6’9″, which he easily manages.
Check out the video below to learn more about Kevin’s incredible journey. Despite the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, it seems that Kevin has adapted well. We wish him all the best as he continues his journey! Please SHARE this amazing story with your family and friends!
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