Former Chicago Bulls player and three-time NBA All-Star, Bob Love, died on November 18, 2024, at 81 following a long fight with cancer. Born into poverty, Love rose to stardom in the NBA and later became a respected motivational speaker and community leader.
Love was born on December 8, 1942, in Bastrop, Louisiana, and was one of 14 children. He acquired the nickname “Butterbean,” due to his fondness for lima beans. At Southern University, Love became a three-time NAIA All-American and All-Southwestern Conference selection, averaging an impressive 30.6 points and 18.2 rebounds per game in his senior year. This led to his 1965 NBA Draft selection by the Cincinnati Royals in the fourth round.
Love’s NBA career reached its peak during his nine-season run with the Chicago Bulls from 1968 to 1976. At 6 feet 8 inches tall and 215 pounds, he averaged 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds over 592 games. He led the Bulls in scoring for seven seasons consecutively, a record surpassed only by Michael Jordan in the team’s history. Love’s performance won him two All-NBA Second Team honors, three All-Defensive Second Team selections, and in 1994, his No. 10 jersey was retired by the Bulls, making him the second player to receive this distinction.
Despite his basketball triumphs, Love faced personal challenges off the court due to a severe stutter. Post-retirement from the sport, he found it difficult to secure employment and took up jobs such as a dishwasher and busboy. In the 1980s, he underwent speech therapy with Nordstrom’s support, which dramatically changed his life and allowed him to follow his passion for public speaking.
In 1992, Love rejoined the Chicago Bulls as the Director of Community Affairs. He started giving motivational speeches to teenagers and community groups, averaging hundreds of speeches every year. His journey from personal struggles to becoming a source of inspiration was captured in the documentary “Find Yourself A Dream – The Bob Love Story,” which included interviews with NBA greats like Michael Jordan.
Love’s achievements have been recognized with his No. 41 jersey retirement by his alma mater, Southern University, in 2012. In January 2024, he was inducted into the inaugural Ring of Honor by the Bulls, acknowledging his lasting influence on the franchise. Love’s life stands as a powerful testament to the virtues of resilience, determination, and community service.