Bulls Memories

Back in the 90s, the Bulls were on top of the world, being lead by the best in the world: Michael Jordan. My grandpa used to take me to Bulls games quite often, when I was only eight, maybe nine years old at the time. We had seats right near the court and my favorite thing to do was get autographs from the players.
I remember asking my grandpa about Johnny Red Kerr, this titan of a man with slicked back white hair and large glasses. He explained Red the way everyone explains him: the guy on tv, the guy who basically started this team, the very first coach. He told me I'd want Red's autograph. Now, I was even scared to ask Mugsy Bogues, a former Charlotte Hornet, for an autograph (Bogues is 5'3", I was even shorter, being 9 years old). Imagine how frightening someone the size of Johnny Red Kerr could be.
My grandpa lead me over to Red, who I asked, most definitely on multiple occasions, for an autograph, whether it was on a poster I had made with all the players' names or the ticket for that night's game. Not once did he fail to have a huge smile on his face when I asked for an autograph. He asked me my name, signed the poster or ticket, and just had the biggest smile stretched across his face you could possibly expect. He was more than happy to interact with fans and make a young fan's day that much brighter.
Johnny Red Kerr was simply a happy man from my first days of going to a Bulls game and getting his autograph while watching the Bulls dominate, to the days longer after Jordan had retired and the team was sporting the likes of Eddie Robinson and Jalen Rose. Johnny would always provide the perfect combination of commentary and fun chiding remarks between himself and Tom Dore during a usually dreadful game. When things weren't going the Bulls' way, they weren't going Johnny's way either and you could hear it in his voice. If there's one personality in all of sports that is unforgettable, it's Johnny Red Kerr.

Another Bulls legend who showed a fiery passion for the team I grew up watching was Norm Van Lier, or Stormin' Norman as they would refer to him when cutting to his halftime and post-game commentary. He was the perfect follow-up to Johnny Red Kerr. When the Bulls let the fans down, they let Norm down too. He was well-known for hitting the issues square on the nose. He didn't beat around the bush and he wasn't afraid to share his thoughts on a player's performance. I wish there was more to say about him but I don't have those same memories that I have about Red.

Both these Bulls legends will be sorely missed. Red had already stepped away from game commentary, but it already hadn't been the same without him. Hopefully they're both in a more peaceful state now and I feel confident I can count on the Bulls and Chicago to honor these two greats the way they deserve to be honored. Maybe win a few for Red and Norm???

Countdown to Connors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voaA5MrnJqE

Matt Silver
c: 847-707-7052
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