Legendary Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson Jr. – Often Called The Real-Life Black Panther – Dead At 78

Sadly, John Thompson Jr. – the former Georgetown head coach who was often called the real-life Black Panther – has died. He was 78. Details inside…

2020 isn’t letting up with bad news.

Following news that Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman passed away, former Georgetown head coach John Thompson Jr. – who was dubbed the real-life Black Panther – has died, according to his family. He was 78.

News of his death was announced in a family statement this morning. No word on his cause of death.

“More than a legend, he was the voice in our ear everyday,” the statement said. “We will miss him but are grounded in the assurance that we carry his faith and determination in us.”

Hoya Paranoia!!!!#JohnThompson pic.twitter.com/251PFJD8wj

— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) August 31, 2020

John Thompson Jr.’s was a major influence in the sports world, so much so, he was often dubbed the real-life Black Panther. He made history as the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship when the Georgetown Hoyas won the 1984 title. Mr. Thompson then led the Hoyas to THREE Final Fours in the 1980s. That’s when the term “Hoya Paranoia” was dubbed.

Mr. Thompson created one of the top basketball programs in the 80s & 90s, featuring big name talents like Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Patrick Ewing. You'll recall, he was the only coach who accepted Allen Iverson on a college team after Allen spent four months in jail. Mr. Thompson quit coaching the team in 1999.

RIP #JohnThompson

- First African-American head coach to win a major collegiate championship
- 2× NBA champion ('65, '66)
- NCAA champion ('84)
- NABC Coach of the Year ('85)
- Olympics ('88)
- 3× Big East COTY ('80, '87, '92)
- HOF class of '99

R.I.P Coach pic.twitter.com/tpxphixKlO

— Rev Run & Shoot  (@CoachMcKissic) August 31, 2020

Also, the trailblazing coach was the first receipt of the Dean Smith Award, which honors a college basketball coach that embodies honesty, integrity and treating all people with courtesy and respect.

Although he was no longer coaching college basketball, Mr. Thompson was still putting in work and using his influence to encourage Black college basketball coaches to step up and seize the moment, according to ESPN’s Myron Medcalf:

I was told that Big John, just two weeks ago, jumped onto a phone call with Black college basketball coaches and told them to seize the moment. The legendary coach was still fighting for change at the end.

— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) August 31, 2020

A few years ago, he helped save a Boys & Girls Club in Washington, D.C. from closing:

Ex-Georgetown Coach John Thompson Saves Boys & Girls Club in Washington D.C. from closing.
NBC Washington Shomari Stone’s Exclusive report. (MARCH 29, 2013) #ICYMI #RIPJohnThompson #JohnThompson https://t.co/cQs55H1mNl pic.twitter.com/5K04phkkCp

— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) August 31, 2020

In one of his last televised interviews, he gushed about the late Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality" and more. Check it: 

 

My last interview with John Thompson. The legendary former Georgetown Basketball Coach talks about the death of Kobe Bryant. He admired Kobe’s “mamba mentality.
(January 28, 2020 ) #RIPJohnThompson #JohnThompson pic.twitter.com/GBMHfl5CUt

— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) August 31, 2020

 

A job well done. Rest well, King!

Photos: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images North America/AP Photo

source: theybf