“I Am Devastated”: Steve Kerr Expresses Deep Sorrow for Jerry Krause’s Widow After Ring of Honor Night Left Her Visibly Shaken

The spectators who witnessed the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor night may have had the good fortune of attending but it’s not a good look online. The United Center spectators forever marred a historic night for the franchise by taking out their frustrations regarding Jerry Krause in front of his widow. The crowd booed at Krause’s inclusion in the Ring of Honor alongside 12 other greats of the franchise and reduced Thelma Krause to tears. Steve Kerr, who also won four of his five championships with the Bulls was present as the Warriors coach.

While the Warriors won 140-131, this incident left a bad taste in his mouth. He empathized with Thelma Krause while addressing the media stating, “I am devastated for Thelma and for the Krause family. What can we be possibly thinking?” Kerr was in the locker room with the Warriors when the jeering happened. When he found out, he didn’t mince words. “It was absolutely shameful.” 

Kerr questioned the rationale of those who booed the late GM’s widow and insisted it didn’t reflect the larger NBA community’s feelings. “You have to understand, when you hear boos, it’s not all of them. Some fans who booed, they know who they are, and to me, it’s absolutely shameful.” 

He summarized what is being discussed online that some negative feelings towards Krause didn’t matter. “We’re here to celebrate that team.” And he specified that he’s only counting those who didn’t boo among fans.

The 13 honorees included Artis Gilmore, Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Johnny Kerr, Dick Klein, Toni Kukoc, Bob Love, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker, and Tex Winter along with Krause. Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman skipped the event but MJ and The Worm’s video messages got a rousing reaction. Phil Jackson too was hailed by the crowd. The Bulls were forced to defend the late GM’s inclusion in the Ring of Honor as the architect behind building a championship-winning team.

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The Bulls Nation denounces booing spectators

The treatment of Krause left many within the Bulls organization and even Internet denizens disgusted. Twitterati blamed it on The Last Dance for showing him as a bitter GM jealous of Jordan and Phil Jackson getting credit for two three-peats.

Commentator Stacey King, who spent one season with Kerr on the Bulls roster was on the scene. He didn’t spare a moment to call out the booing crowd. Similar to Steve Kerr, he refused to acknowledge such a crowd as real fans. “That’s not Chicago,” he declared regarding the “worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The harsh reception for Krause has taken away the celebratory atmosphere from the Ring of Honor gala. It would take the franchise a long time to move past this.

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