Sometimes fate can be both strange and cruel. Hours after Norm Van Lier was taken from us, we lost Johnny “Red” Kerr as well. Two local legends passed in a single day, a double dose of grief. The only bright side is that we got to lavish Johnny with praise and joy before an end that came far sooner than it should have. I wish we would have done the same for Norm. He certainly deserved it.
I’ve talked about Johnny’s contributions to the state of Illinois, the NBA and the Bulls organization at length on this site — see the links below — but Melissa Issacson of the Chicago Tribune may have summed it up best when she said: “He was a high school and college basketball great, an NBA champion and an All-Star, a front-office executive and a respected broadcaster, but Johnny Kerr always will be known as a Chicago Bull.”
I can only hope that Norm was saving Johnny a spot next to him in Hoops Heaven. I’d like to imagine them sitting next to each other — Johnny on his bar stool, Norm in a big, comfy chair — watching the Bulls play and loving them from on high.
More media:
Ex-Bulls broadcaster, coach Johnny “Red” Kerr dies
Red Kerr passes away at 76
First and always a Bull
Bulls mourn the loss of Johnny “Red” Kerr
Chicago icon Johnny “Red” Kerr dies
Red Kerr dies after battle with cancer
Bulls’ emotional 24 hours
More Johnny at By the Horns (with Web extras):
My tribute to old “Red”
An awesome ending to a special night
More Johnny from NBA.com:
Watch the Feb. 10 ceremony to honor “Red” Kerr
Tribute to Red Kerr | Life and Times
Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf on Johnny “Red” Kerr’s legacy
Red Kerr Memories | Red sings Irish Eyes
Bio, facts, quotes and more (.pdf)
Johnny Kerr the original iron man
What a sad “double” for Bulls fans.
Comment by Noor Hammad — February 27, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
Noor — Very sad. And very strange. What are the chances?
Comment by Matt McHale — February 27, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
Yeah strange indeed.
Adds another level of poignancy to the recent tribute Johnny was afforded. Glad I got to see MJ clap the rosin one more time.
Comment by Noor Hammad — February 27, 2009 @ 11:54 pm