# Saddest Day in Bulls History: RIP Johnny and Norm **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 1, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddest-day-in-bulls-history-rip-johnny-and-norm/487835 "2009-03-01T00:04:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddest-day-in-bulls-history-rip-johnny-and-norm/487835/1 "2009-03-01T00:04:29Z")
I’m a day behind with this, but it still deserves it’s own thread. I’ll steal the caption below from the Death Pool thread to summarize: > [@The Celebrity Death Pool 2009](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/701): > > [Norm Van Lier](http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-27-norm-van-lier-bulls-chicafeb27,0,5330451.story?page=1), who was named to the National Basketball Association’s first or second all-defensive team eight times and was selected for three of the league’s All-Star Games, has died at the age of 61. Van Lier, who spent the bulk of his pro career with the Chicago Bulls, had been working as one of the team’s broadcasters before he failed to show up Wednesday night. He was found dead in his apartment Thursday morning. > > Another “voice of the Bulls”, [Johnny “Red” Kerr](http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-27-johnny-kerr-bulls-chicagojan12,0,5279916.story?page=1), has passed away at the age of 76. In the 1966-67 season, Kerr had been the expansion Chicago team’s first head coach. During his playing days, he led the University of Illinois Fighting Illini to the NCAA Final Four in 1952, helped the Syracuse Nationals to the 1954 NBA championship, and set the NBA record (since broken) for consecutive games played (844). This [article](http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-28-johnny-kerr-norm-van-lier-bulfeb28,0,7511404.story) summarizes some of the thoughts and emotions of their friends and former colleagues in the Bull organization. Tonight is the first home game since their passing and it will be very strange and sad to not have these two involved in the coverage. Kerr was the play-by-play man for the Bulls for my entire life and was essentially the soundtrack of Michael Jordan’s entire career. Every dunk of his and every victory of the Bulls Dynasty was punctuated with Red’s gravely call and cheer. He was to the Bulls what Harry Caray was to the Cubs, and even more for old-timers who remember him as a coach and player before that. Norm Van Lier had recently become every bit the institution that Kerr was and was one of my Dad’s favorite players of all time. Back in the 70s when many players were going the Wilt Chamberlain-Walt Frazier route of disco glamor and flash, Stormin’ Norman was mean, gritty and all blue collar. A classic effort over ability guy and was one of the best defensive players to ever suit up. Near the start of the Bulls dynasty he returned as part of the Bulls family in the studio giving color and analysis before and after the games. Norm always called it like he saw it and was quick to praise success and criticize poor effort or stupid play, which there was plenty of following the departure of Pippen and Jordan. Norm also took on a additional quality for Chicagoans as one of the most frequently sighted celebrities due to his frequent presence in the bars downtown. He was a guy that walked the sidewalks alone and every bartender across the city has a story of serving and chatting him up, he was always welcoming of friendly greetings from fans. I met him dozens of times. These two guys were about the only thing that made the post-Jordan era watchable. Now that we’ve lost them I sincerely hope Derrick Rose is up to the challenge of carrying the franchise. For now the play on the court will have to be the reason to watch and cheer. I’m not sure how many Bulls fans there are on the Dope, but we’ve taken a major blow this weekend. Be sure to tune in tonight at 7:00PM to watch and remember them. Perhaps February 26th will one day be thought of as a special day in their memory for Bulls fans. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddest-day-in-bulls-history-rip-johnny-and-norm/487835/2 "2009-03-01T04:02:59Z")
And the Bulls came back from 17 points down with just 5:50 to go in the game to win 105-103. Derrick Rose owned the 4th quarter. Johnny and Norm would have loved it.