Harlem Globetrotters Icon Fred 'Curly' Neal Dies At 77 Years Old
Source: AOL News
Harlem Globetrotters icon Fred Curly Neal has died at 77 years old.
The Globetrotters confirmed that he died in his home outside of Houston early Thursday. His cause of death has not been confirmed.
A star with the Globetrotters during their heyday, Neal played in more than 6,000 games with the team from 1963-85.
Neal was one of the most beloved Globetrotters
His ball-handling displays, shooting touch and infectious smile were mainstays at Globetrotters games as they entertained fans around the world in basketball exhibitions.
Read more: https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/03/26/harlem-globetrotters-icon-fred-curly-neal-dies-at-77-years-old/23962464/
CottonBear
(21,596 posts)My condolences to his family.
DonaldsRump
(7,715 posts)We would stop what we were doing to watch them, usually, I think on Wide World of Sports?
RIP, Curly Neal! You made so many folks happy around the world. You deserve an eternity of happiness.
CottonBear
(21,596 posts)BigDemVoter
(4,149 posts)gibraltar72
(7,498 posts)MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)iluvtennis
(19,835 posts)bucolic_frolic
(43,058 posts)I'm sure I saw him play in the late 60s - does that time period make sense?
So sad, every day's going to be obituary watch
Staph
(6,251 posts)No, really!
Back in the 1960s, the Globetrotters played at the West Virginia University Fieldhouse. Dad was the WVU basketball team's chief statistician, so he got our family courtside seats, while he did stats.
At one point the ball went out of bounds, and Mom caught it and threw it to Curly Neal. He threw it back. She threw it back again. This continued for a few rounds, until the laughter peaked - Curly had great comedic timing!
What no one but the family knew was that Mom was a basketball player. My little five-foot-nothing mother was the star of her high school girls' basketball team, back in the early 1940s. She knew what she was doing, tossing that ball back and forth!
Rest in peace, Curly. You brought joy to so many.
CottonBear
(21,596 posts)Your mom was so lucky and talented!
Staph
(6,251 posts)She's 96 and sharp as a tack. But her basketball days are long behind her.
CottonBear
(21,596 posts)Be well and be safe.
MontanaMama
(23,296 posts)Thank you for the smile.
GeoWilliam750
(2,521 posts)So enjoyable.
Dem2theMax
(9,637 posts)My dad took us. Absolutely loved the Harlem Globetrotters.
Jim__
(14,063 posts)crickets
(25,952 posts)What an incredible ball player and entertainer. He will be missed.
lefthandedskyhook
(964 posts)Thanks to "the Donald" for not doing the job
muntrv
(14,505 posts)catbyte
(34,336 posts)team was, but I remember those two the most.
Ponietz
(2,937 posts)RIP Curly
warmfeet
(3,321 posts)That was a lot of fun. I will never forget you Curly. Sometimes it seems, our hearts break just a little at a time.
I love you Curly!
Long live Curly Neal.
oasis
(49,329 posts)crickets
(25,952 posts)at a town about an hour from ours. Some parents got a bunch of us together and took us to see them. It was so much fun and such a fond memory. Thanks to Curly, Meadowlark Lemon, and all of the Globetrotters for spreading love and joy.