I have never been so embarrassed to be a Chicago Bulls fan. Sure, I do my fair share of ragging on the team, cracking jonkes about how I'm miserable over their current direction. But I do have some pride in being a lifelong Bulls fan.
On Friday night, that pride was tested. The Bulls held a Ring of Honor ceremony, in which they inducted an inaugural class of franchise legends. Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, among several others, were highlighted and honored.
Forever Chicago legends.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 13, 2024
Our inaugural Bulls Ring of Honor class. pic.twitter.com/kIoWMlCe5Y
Every name listed above, yes, even Pippen, is generally loved or respected, right? Well, a controversial name was among the group, the man many blame for breaking up the '90s dynasty: former general manager Jerry Krause.
When Krause was announced, boos rang out at the United Center while his wife, Thelma, who was representing him, was shown on the video board. She was visibly distraught and even brought to tears at the fans' reactions to her husband being announced.
— ✶ ✶ ツ ✶ ✶ (@Someone20241575) January 13, 2024
Bulls legend and current Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr called the incident "absolutely shameful." Kerr added that the fans who booed Krause should be "ashamed of themselves."
Steve Kerr’s reaction to Jerry Krause being boo’d during the Ring of Honor pic.twitter.com/iFlAI0pGYF
— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) January 13, 2024
Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan disapproved as well.
"It just sucks that their family had to endure something like that," he said.
DeRozan isn't wrong, it was a selfish act.
DeMar DeRozan on Jerry Krause's name being booed: "It just sucks that their family has to endure something like that, but you can never take away what he created. Without Jerry, there wouldn’t be a historic Chicago Bulls history. You got to give him credit."
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) January 13, 2024
I also respect Bulls president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf for not caring about backlash and putting out a statement in which he praised Krause's contributions to the organization. Reinsdorf asserted that Krause deserves to be "celebrated and respected."
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
At the end of the day, it's just sports. This isn't Philadelphia, we don't act like that here in Chicago. Booing an elderly woman on a night when her late husband was supposed to be celebrated? Absolutely embarrassing.
This is the man whose widow you just booed Bulls fans! While Jerry Krause wasn’t perfect he deserves all the honor and recognition tonight! pic.twitter.com/sTxB1LRMve
— Bulls On Tap (@BullsOnTap) January 13, 2024
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