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.
Users stunned by Pamela Anderson’s rustic home that was once her granny’s
Celebrity Canadian-born Pamela Anderson, who over the past ten years has gone from glam to charmingly ordinary, gave fans a glimpse into her newly constructed rustic home, which is a reflection of her love of the great outdoors.
Currently in her late 50s, the Baywatch sex icon—who was previously well-known for her exploits with her rock star ex-husband—enjoys the rustic beauty of Western Canada on the property that her grandparents formerly owned.
Following her return to “her safe place,” fans are ecstatic to see the once-wild woman “living simply,” but they are shocked to learn the modest diva does her own laundry.
Continue reading to learn more about the stunning Pam Anderson in her natural environment!
After years of leading a busy lifestyle, Pamela Anderson, the star of the popular television show Baywatch, recently underwent a major makeover and redefined herself as a natural beauty.
In 2023, Anderson, 56, disproved the long-held reputation of her as a sex symbol by attending Paris Fashion Week sans makeup.
The stunning model and actor looked stunning on the red carpet in an all-white ensemble that had wide-leg leggings, a cream-colored blazer draped over her shoulders, and a loose-fitting blouse. The outfit was finished with tiny silver stud earrings, and her hair was pulled back into a short ponytail to highlight her inherent beauty.
Anderson claims in an interview with Allure that her appearance was a fiction about who she truly is.
If my name is taken out of context, it can convey a negative impression. I like to refer to these outfits I wore from Playboy to Baywatch as my “Halloween costumes.” I just feel like it’s alright now that I’ve found my place of self-acceptance and self-love. “What I’m into today is an intentional choice,” says Anderson.
But there were several changes to her appearance.
Canadian female
After being married to rock icons Tommy Lee, Kid Rock, and the drummer for Mötley Crüe in the past, Anderson moved back to her home country of Canada a few years ago from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.
While there, Anderson—a vegan and PETA representative—renovated the charming seaside cottage on Vancouver Island that she had purchased from her grandparents more than thirty years before.
“It celebrates the magic of scenic settings where nature always has a proud seat at the table,” writes Anderson on Instagram.
This six-acre property, which sits on the strait separating the island from the mainland of British Columbia, is where she spent her formative years.
One of the nine wooden huts her grandpa had constructed on the land many years ago belonged to her parents; the other eight had been demolished.
“The Little Mermaid Castle”
Anderson, who portrayed the Tool Time Girl in the sitcom Home Improvement in the 1990s, had high standards for the rustic and “sexy” repairs she wanted to make to her own home: “I’m craving something wild, sensual, and insane! I am a mermaid, and here is my mermaid castle.
The property has undergone a “cheap and cheerful makeover,” resulting in sweeping gardens and a barn, which are indicative of her love of the great outdoors and carefree attitude.
With a pavilion added on the old pier, the actor was able to dine al fresco while taking in views of the shimmering lake. Today, the boathouse serves as a lakefront home.
“Laundry is life.”
While renovations were being done, Anderson moved into The Roadhouse, a former little shop used by guests staying in the vacation cabins.
The woman, who says that doing laundry is her “happy place” and “life,” was made to choose setting up a laundry room over continuing her “self-care ritual.”
Anderson declares, “It has to be done, might as well make it fun,” in an Instagram promotional video. I see it as an opportunity to sort of withdraw and take some alone time. It is reflective.
Fans had a lot to say after Anderson revealed their true feelings: “I thought I was the only one who enjoyed to wash laundry! Hanging the sheets on the line is heaven on a bright sunny day when you hop in bed!
In reaction to the video of her looking almost angelic in all white, another writes: “She is one of the very few women who makes me feel at peace while perusing social media.I love her fashion sense.
“A sweet spirit”
Based on comments posted on her social media sites, it appears that fans love her even more now than they did when she debuted on television almost 35 years ago.
“At fifty-three, I still feel like the woman we all wanted me to be at twenty-five.” “GORGEOUS soul,” a fan declares.
“You’re quite beautiful! “I admire you for bringing your innate beauty and self-love to the mainstream and showcasing them,” adds another.
A third remarks about Anderson’s property and says, “Good for her.” Right there, with granny. Is there love for you to experience?
Another remarks, “Beautiful…She deserves to be happy in every way.She went back home to her safe sanctuary.
What are your opinions on Pamela Anderson’s life makeover? Please share this article with others and let us know what you think so we can hear from them too!
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