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The former players, coaches and managers look on during the inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony for the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls at the game between Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 12, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Jamie Sabau/Getty Images/AFP
CHICAGO — A halftime ceremony honoring Chicago Bulls greats was spoiled Friday night as United Center fans booed former general manager Jerry Krause, apparently moving his widow to tears.
Krause was one of 13 members of the inaugural class for the Bulls’ “Ring of Honor,” and was being recognized as the architect of their six championship teams.
The inaugural class of the Bulls Ring of Honor 💍
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📲 https://t.co/DKSYeFgjk0 pic.twitter.com/hFiZMyN5Zl— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2024
Former Chicago Bulls player Ron Harper, back, comforts Thelma Krause, widow of former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, while the crowd boos when his name was announced during a Ring of Honor ceremony for the 1995-96 Bulls team ,during halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Bulls and the Golden State Warriors on Friday, Jan 12, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Having died in 2017, Krause was represented by his widow, Thelma, who was visibly upset by a torrent of booing from fans in the United Center and remained seated rather than acknowledge the crowd.
Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson was one of many former Bulls luminaries who were greeted with raucous cheers. But former star players Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman were absent from the festivities.
Rodman was scheduled to appear but had his travel plans canceled by inclement weather. Both he and Jordan submitted video messages acknowledging the honor.