Three-time NBA All-Star and Chicago Bulls legend, Bob Love, died at 81 on Monday, November 18, 2024, after a long struggle with cancer. Love’s life journey, which took him from a modest background to NBA stardom and then to a career as a motivational speaker and community leader, demonstrates the power of grit and determination.
Love, born on December 8, 1942, in Bastrop, Louisiana, was one of 14 siblings. His liking for lima beans earned him the moniker “Butterbean.” At Southern University, he made his mark as a three-time NAIA All-American and All-Southwestern Conference pick, averaging 30.6 points and 18.2 rebounds per game in his final year. His impressive performance in college led to his selection in the 1965 NBA Draft by the Cincinnati Royals in the fourth round.
During his nine-season stint with the Chicago Bulls from 1968 to 1976, Love’s NBA career flourished. With a height of 6 feet 8 inches and weighing 215 pounds, he averaged 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 592 games. Love led the Bulls in scoring for seven straight seasons, a record only surpassed by Michael Jordan in the team’s history. His stellar performance earned him two All-NBA Second Team selections and three All-Defensive Second Team picks. In 1994, his No. 10 jersey was retired by the Bulls, making him the second player in the history of the team to be granted this honor.
Despite his tremendous success on the court, Love grappled with a debilitating stuttering issue off the court. After retiring from professional basketball, he faced challenges in securing employment and worked roles such as dishwasher and busboy. In the 1980s, with the aid of Nordstrom, he underwent speech therapy, a move that dramatically altered his life and allowed him to fulfill his aspiration of becoming a public speaker.
In 1992, Love resumed his association with the Bulls as the Director of Community Affairs, transforming himself into a motivational speaker and delivering hundreds of speeches annually to teenagers and community organizations. His life journey, from battling personal hurdles to inspiring others, was captured in the documentary “Find Yourself A Dream – The Bob Love Story,” which included interviews with NBA greats, including Michael Jordan.
In addition to his jersey retirement by the Bulls, Love’s No. 41 jersey was retired by his alma mater, Southern University, in 2012 in recognition of his commendable collegiate accomplishments. In January 2024, he was inducted into the Bulls’ inaugural Ring of Honor, a tribute to his lasting influence on the franchise. Love’s life narrative serves as a powerful inspiration, underscoring the value of tenacity and the significance of community involvement.