It was with great sadness that the world said goodbye to former All-Star NBA player, Jerome Kersey, a man “whose speed, size and leaping ability made him one of the more powerful dunkers in franchise history.” Kersey, only 52 years of age, suffered from a pulmonary embolism only a few days after having knee surgery. The state medical examiner office says Kersey died when a blood clot broke loose from his left calf, traveled to his lungs and caused a pulmonary thromboembolism, possibly related to the knee surgery he had. The word “possibly” is used because the clot could have been pre-existing.
Kersey was a talented, well-liked #9 FCAR who consistently had a smile on his face. Early on in his NBA career he became known as the Rundown Man for his ability to chase down players about to make a layup in the open court, and even block their shot (how’s that for #9 energy?). Today we lost an incredible person and one of the most beloved players to ever wear a Trail Blazers uniform, Blazers Owner Paul Allen (#13 FCIR) said in a news release. My thoughts and condolences are with the Kersey family. He will be missed by all of us. It’s a terrible loss.
It’s very unfortunate, very sad he’s way too young, former teammate Clyde Drexler (#2 BEAR) told the media. He was a great guy, a great friend, an incredible teammate and just a real pillar of the community. A tremendous loss for the Blazers family and the city of Portland because everybody loved him. On the court, because of the way he played: just that all-out energy, and he gave you everything he had. And off the court, because he was so gregarious and such a great guy.”
Kersey even had a good #9 voice, as seen in the video below when he sang the national anthem back in 1989 (with help).
———————————-
———————————-
Written by: Staff
(click for source)
———————————-