Chicago Bulls great Bob Love (Photo Credits NBA.com, Public Domain).
Bob “Butterbean” Love, one of the most celebrated Chicago Bulls players, died on Monday (Nov. 18) at 81 after a long fight with cancer, the team announced.
“During his nine remarkable seasons with the Bulls, Bob was a three-time NBA All-Star, a tenacious defender, and a cornerstone of our team,” said the team via a statement.
We mourn the passing of Bob Love, who passed away today in Chicago at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer. pic.twitter.com/3EBUO9UTmp
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 19, 2024
A Force on the Court
Love stood out at 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds for his rare mix of size and agility. He could score with either hand and move like a smaller player. Over nine seasons with the Bulls, he became a three-time All-Star and one of the league’s top defenders.
Sportswriter Sam Smith called Love “one of the best two-way players in the NBA,” likening him to John Havlicek. But Love’s path to the league was far from smooth. He worked his way up from the Eastern League, earning $50 a game, before finding his place in the NBA after being cut by two teams.
A Life Built on Resilience
Love grew up in Louisiana, the son of a sharecropper. His first basketball hoop was a wire hanger, and his first ball was a rolled-up pair of socks. Despite his talent, discrimination kept him out of major college programs. His challenges were far from over when he finally made it to the NBA.
He suffered a back injury late in his career and was told he would never walk properly again. Returning home to recover, he found his wife had left, taking everything they owned. She left him a note: “I don’t want to be married to a stutterer and a cripple.”
Broke and struggling with his speech, Love took a job as a dishwasher at Nordstrom in Seattle for $4.45 an hour. He threw himself into the work, determined to be the best dishwasher they’d ever seen. His commitment caught the attention of John Nordstrom, who encouraged him to find a speech therapist and paid for the sessions.
In a year of intensive therapy, Love found his voice. Nordstrom later promoted him to a leadership role, overseeing health and sanitation for hundreds of restaurants.
The Second Act
The Bulls brought Love back as their Director of Community Affairs. He spoke to thousands in that role, sharing his story and inspiring young people to overcome their struggles.
In 1994, the Bulls retired his No. 10 jersey—a fitting tribute to a man who, on the hardwood and off, perfectly epitomized grace and perseverance.
The Bulls will share details of his memorial service at a later date.
Full Bulls team statement:
CHICAGO BULLS MOURN PASSING OF BOB LOVE
The Chicago Bulls mourn the passing of Bob Love, who passed away today in Chicago at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.
Bob was a true legend and a beloved member of our family. During his nine remarkable seasons with the Bulls, Bob was a three-time NBA All-Star, a tenacious defender, and a cornerstone of our team. With his No. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history, but Bob’s impact transcended basketball. He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and legacy both on and off the court in Chicago. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Emily, his family, and his many friends.
Additional information regarding memorial services will be shared at a later date.