Manute Bol died this morning

[Benjammin]

It hasn't come out on the wires yet (that I've seen), but I've been on a facebook group and received this message:

I am very sorry to pass on the news that Manute Bol died this morning at UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA. Please hold his family in your prayers.

If you would like to leave messages for his family here, we will see they get them.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Sudan and all the world will miss you.


Manute brought a lot of fun and enjoyment to my life on the court and his work off the court for many people should not be easily forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. May they be comforted.

[closg00]

Very sad to hear this, good bye Manute

[AceDegenerate]

Wow. Very unfortunate.

R.I.P.

[montestewart]

During a time when the Bullets seemed to be going nowhere constantly, his winning smile and one-of-a-kind stature, along with his shot blocking, brought some joy to loyal fans. Not a great player, but definitely a very important person to the history of the franchise, and a big part of my experience as a Bullets fan. I hope the Wizards do something nice to honor his memory. R.I.P Manute Bol.

[Bickerstaff]

An underrated ballplayer and a really good man. RIP, Manute.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

[southnc]

RIP.

[mohammed10]

Sad...very sad


RIP, Manute

[mohammed10]

During a time when the Bullets seemed to be going nowhere constantly, his winning smile and one-of-a-kind stature, along with his shot blocking, brought some joy to loyal fans. Not a great player, but definitely a very important person to the history of the franchise, and a big part of my experience as a Bullets fan. I hope the Wizards do something nice to honor his memory. R.I.P Manute Bol.

Monte- that made me think. I will always remember The Harvard Lampoon of the USA Today. Manute was pictured on the left side of the sports section. The little blurbs and photos, at the top it had his face with the words "just a..." printed below. Then at the bottom of the left side it had his feet with the words "...Manute." Probably still have it somewhere. It always made me laugh.

Then later when I found out what he did in the Sudan, he made me smile again.

The world lost a great person today.

[montestewart]

Since we're sharing Manute Bol memories, I recall him on a sports radio call in show, and some cranky fan was railing on about Bol's one dimensional talents and concluding he should be driving a cab instead. Possibly Manute just refused to dignify the comment, but I thought that he didn't realize the sarcasm and took the caller's suggestion literally. He responded repeatedly with "Why would I drive a cab, I already have a job. I am a basketball player." Manute had a winning innocence about him. Ted Leonsis, if you're reading this, I hope you give Bol some sort of tribute commensurate with his big heart. It would mean a lot to this franchise to recognize the things in its history that are unique and special.

[mohammed10]

Manute had a winning innocence about him. Ted Leonsis, if you're reading this, I hope you give Bol some sort of tribute commensurate with his big heart. It would mean a lot to this franchise to recognize the things in its history that are unique and special.

Excellent idea, monte!

+1

[DejanBodiroga]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3bK1FND3_w[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdyoHl53NzI[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmigQr0FhyA[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5INtPNOI2PI[/youtube]

RIP

[80sballboy]

Sad but not unexpected due to his most recent circumstances.

Manute was in his rookie year when I was in my first year as a Bullets ball boy. I remember riding a bus to an exhibition game in Baltimore and I didn't what to think about a guy who was 7-6 and 190+ pounds at the time. He knew very little English save for a few curse words. But he was very accomodating and nice to a lot of people despite all the gawking and staring when he'd go to a local grocery store in Bowie. The guy the best he could for his country and was a hero. That's what I hope he's remembered for as well as the sense of humor. The trip to the Letterman show. The pranks. RIP Manute. Safe travels.

Wish I had the Letterman clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwc6Sdlh ... re=related

[verbal8]

Ted Leonsis, if you're reading this, I hope you give Bol some sort of tribute commensurate with his big heart. It would mean a lot to this franchise to recognize the things in its history that are unique and special.

Great idea. RIP Manute Bol.

[KnicksManiac]

I had the opportunity of meeting Manute and spending a lot of time with him last year and I think this would be an appropriate place to share my story.

I'm in charge of bringing interesting speakers to my college and we knew we wanted to bring an athlete who had something more to speak about other than being an athlete. Manute was perfect. Not only was a former NBA player, but he is 7'7 tall and one of the greatest humanitarians this world has ever seen. I found a crazy way to get in touch with Manute and once I got to talk to him, I knew he would be the perfect fit.

Manute charged us so little to come to our school that we actually insisted on paying him more so he could donate it to his charity. And so the deal was set. Manute drove from his home in Olathe, Kansas (he moved from his home in Connecticut to Kansas because the living was cheaper in Kansas and he could donate more of his money to Sudan if he lived a more modest life) to Kansas City and then flew coach class (must have been miserable) from KC to Chicago and then from Chicago to Albany, still in coach class. When I met him at the Albany airport, I will NEVER forget the sight of a 7'7 man walking towards me. I can't imagine what it's like to be that height, not only because of the difficulties of getting around, but also because everyone stares at all times. Manute did not complain at all about squeezing into my tiny Toyota Corolla.

When we arrived at my school in Schenectady, he wowed the crowd of 400+ as he spoke about his interesting NBA career, what it's like living as a 7'7 man, and his unbelievable philanthropic work he has done in his home country of Sudan. His message was strong and one that everyone in that room will remember forever. After his speech, he was nice enough to answer an unlimited amount of questions that everyone asked of him. He also let everyone come on stage and take pictures with him. However, he didn't want the night to end so a few students including myself took him back to his hotel to have some dinner and drinks.

Once we got to the hotel bar and ordered everything, he insisted on paying even with his not so great economic circumstances. We didn't want to let that happen (the school was paying) so we finally convinced him to let us pick up the tab. He told us jokes, old stories, and he also shared his frustrations with the world regarding everyone ignoring the situation in Sudan. You could really sense the passion Manute had for this issue...all you had to do was look in his eyes and you would have seen it. It seemed like he so desperately wanted to help his home country but there was a limited amount he could do. Even though he knew he couldn't save the country by himself, he was going to do everything in his power to help as much as humanly possible. After downing about five cups of red wine like it was water (he claimed he needed it for a good sleep), we exchanged contact info and said our goodbyes.

I feel that I am privileged to have met Manute Bol and I am very happy I got to spend some quality time with him. I regret not staying in better touch but I will remember him forever and I'm sure everyone else will as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and other friends.

RIP, Manute.

[montestewart]

Thanks for sharing that wonderful story KnicksManiac. I hope more people will share stories about his post basketball career and humanitarian efforts. Maybe the mods can add "Manute Bol tribute thread" to the title.'

For my part, I recall him after his career, strolling U Street, 18th Street, Georgia Avenue, etc. and of course you couldn't miss him.

[Ruzious]

What a great person he was. RIP Manute. My condolences to the world.

[Hawaii]

He was one of my favorite basketball players of all-time, not just for his game, but for the interesting life he led. His biography is great reading for people who like to read sports books. RIP to a true humanitarian.

[Ji]

RIP Nute

[miller31time]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSfBRAIT4eg[/youtube]

R.I.P.