The Chicago Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony turned sour on Friday night when fans mercilessly booed the late Jerry Krause, the former general manager who played a pivotal role in constructing the Bulls’ iconic championship teams. Former Bulls point guard and current Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed his dismay at the disrespectful reaction from the fans.
“It’s shameful. It’s absolutely shameful. I cannot believe it. I’m devastated for Thelma, for the Krause family. What can we possibly be thinking?”
“And you have to understand, when you hear boos, it’s not all of them, right? The fans who booed, they know who they are. To me, it’s absolutely shameful and I’m devastated by that.”
Steve Kerr was extremely disappointed in the Bulls fans who booed Jerry Krause’s name at halftime during the Ring of Honor ceremony. He called it “absolutely shameful.” pic.twitter.com/vgFSAsqbSK
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) January 13, 2024
Kerr condemned the booing as “absolutely shameful,” expressing his devastation for Thelma and the Krause family. He emphasized that the ceremony was meant to celebrate the joy and love shared by the team with the city, focusing on the remarkable achievements of the Bulls during that era.
Kerr acknowledged Krause’s significant contributions to building the championship-winning team and called out those fans who booed, stating that they should be ashamed of themselves.
Represented by his widow, Thelma Krause was visibly upset by the vehement boos, leaving her in tears during the ceremony. The Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony was intended to be a special occasion, recognizing the team’s legacy and the key figures responsible for their success.
However, the negative reaction towards Krause marred the event, prompting Kerr and others to speak out against the disrespectful behavior. Despite the unfortunate incident, Kerr expressed gratitude for being part of the celebration and reflecting on the special era in Chicago Bulls history.
Bulls CEO, DeMar DeRozan And Ron Harper Tear Apart Bulls Fans
The Chicago Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony turned sour as fans at the United Center directed boos towards the late Jerry Krause, a pivotal figure in the franchise’s championship success. The incident sparked strong reactions from key figures associated with the Bulls, including Bulls CEO Michael Reinsdorf, former player Ron Harper, and current star DeMar DeRozan.
Bulls president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf gave this statement to @NBCSChicago about Jerry Krause pic.twitter.com/MqcoxKyhP2
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 13, 2024
Michael Reinsdorf released a statement expressing deep disappointment in the fans’ behavior, emphasizing Krause’s significant contributions to the team’s six NBA championships and his status as a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. Reinsdorf underscored Krause’s deserving place in the inaugural Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor and conveyed immense respect for his legacy.
On the broadcast, color commentator Stacey King rebuked the fans, describing the booing as “the worst thing” he had ever seen and expressing sympathy for Thelma Krause, Jerry’s widow. Ron Harper, speaking to reporters in the Bulls’ tunnel, urged fans to show respect, acknowledging Krause’s role in bringing six championships to the franchise.
DeMar DeRozan, in a postgame statement, defended Jerry Krause, acknowledging his integral part in creating one of the greatest teams in NBA history. DeRozan highlighted the unfortunate disrespect shown to Krause and emphasized the importance of appreciating his contributions to the Bulls’ historic legacy.
He underscored that Krause’s family and friends shouldn’t endure such disrespect and emphasized the significance of Krause’s role in shaping the Chicago Bulls’ history.
The incident marred what was meant to be a celebratory occasion, tarnishing the recognition of Bulls legends and contributors. The strong statements from Reinsdorf, Harper, and DeRozan collectively condemned the fans’ behavior and sought to restore the respect owed to Jerry Krause’s enduring legacy.
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