Chicago Bulls class of 2024 Ring of Honor inductees from left to right, (Back Row) Jim Cleamons, Erik Heiland, Ivika Duran, Clarence Gaines, Jr., John Ligmanowski, Chip Schaefer, Jim Stack, Al Vermeil(Middle Row) Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, Jason Coffey, James Edwards, Jack Haley, Jr., Ron Harper, Bill Wennington, Luc Longley, John Salley, Steve Kerr(Front Row) Artis Gilmore, Matt Kerr, Greg Klein, Bob Love, JJ Parrish, Thelma Krause, Chris Winter, Phil Jackson, Toni Kukoc are honored during the inaugural ceremony at halftime of a game between the Bulls and Golden State Warriors at United Center. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Bulls fans ripped for 'shameful' act at Ring of Honor ceremony

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 1/13/24

Chicago Bulls fans were widely criticized on Friday night for their actions during the team’s Ring of Honor ceremony.

The Bulls decided to establish a Ring of Honor and inducted many former franchise members into the inaugural 2024 class. Neither Scottie Pippen nor Michael Jordan attended the festivities on Friday night, but the widow of former franchise general manager Jerry Krause attended — and she never expected what transpired.

Bulls fans booed when Krause was shown on the screen during the ceremony at halftime of the Bulls-Golden State Warriors games on Friday night. Krause’s widow Thelma was visibly distraught over the booing.

Absolutely brutal reaction from Chicago fans, booing the late Jerry Krause at the Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony. His wife representing him was in tears.

Just awful. pic.twitter.com/fA1eRs2TCn

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 13, 2024

Fans labeled the boos towards Krause — and received by Thelma — as disrespectful and classless. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who won three championships with the Bulls as a player, called the actions “absolutely shameful.”

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

Jerry Krause died in 2017 at the age of 77. He was a two-time Executive of the Year Award winner and helped build the Bulls’ dynasty that won six championships. But he also has been criticized for breaking up the dynasty.

In particular, Krause was portrayed in “The Last Dance” as a villain by the Michael Jordan-produced documentary about the Bulls. That recent portrayal has heavily influenced the public and likely played a big role in what transpired on Friday.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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