Chicago Bulls fans rained down boos Friday night at United Center when the late Jerry Krause was announced as one of 13 members of the team’s inaugural “Ring of Honor” class.
Krause, who served as the Bulls’ general manager from 1985 to 2003 and passed away in 2017, was represented by his widow, Thelma, who was visibly upset by the fans booing.
NBC Sports Chicago analyst Stacey King, who played four-plus seasons with the Bulls in the 1990s under Krause’s tenure, ripped the booing fans on the broadcast.
“What we witnessed today when Jerry Krause’s name was called, and the people that booed Jerry Krause and his widow accepting his honor for him, it was the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” King said. “I hurt for that lady. Brought her to tears.
“Whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed of themselves. That’s not Chicago. That’s New York, Philly. Chicago’s not like that.”
Stacey King shares his thoughts on the classless boos Jerry Krause received from tonight's Ring of Honor celebration pic.twitter.com/pxYAK2MTbG
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) January 13, 2024
Krause built up the Bulls’ dynasty around Michael Jordan in the 1990s, but he gained a reputation among fans as the villain who went on to dismantle the roster, a storyline further fueled by the 2020 documentary The Last Dance.
“Whether you like Jerry Krause or not, that man brought six championships here,” King said. “He didn’t shoot a basket nor did he get a rebound, but he put six titles up in this arena. There’s a lot of teams who don’t even have one.”
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
Along with Krause, the Bulls also recognized the likes of Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr—coaching the Golden State Warriors on the opposite sideline—among the 13-player induction ceremony.
But it was the reception for Krause that stole the headlines.
“That was really classless,” King said. “I was disappointed in the people that booed. It was a sad thing.”
