Another terrible loss for the Bryant family, sending prayers

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.

Brave toddler agrees to sing national anthem before crowd, only to have 6,000 people on their feet

I’ve always loved theater, and I think it takes a lot of confidence to walk up on stage and sing or act.

To reach to the point where they can act, sing, and dance on stage with ease, adults must practice and train for years.

The child performer you are going to witness is a 3-year-old boy, who is arguably the youngest I have ever witnessed playing the National Anthem. He is not an adult.

He is winning so many hearts with his talent that the video of him singing has already garnered nearly half a million views.

Drake Winslow, age three, is the youngest individual to have ever sung the National Anthem during a Syracuse, New York, School Day game.

This self-assured young performer gave a faultless performance of the song in front of 6,000 spectators.

There was a standing ovation for his outstanding performance.

Drake’s mother, Chelsea, stood behind him throughout his performance and remarked, “I just think he’s too little to realize how big of a deal it is.”

We simply try not to bring it up too often and to be composed for him. He isn’t asked if he feels anxious. Perhaps he won’t consider that after that. He doesn’t truly understand what nervousness is yet.