Harlem Globetrotters Icon Fred 'Curly' Neal Dies At 77 Years Old

[sfstaxprep]

Source: AOL News

Harlem Globetrotters icon Fred “Curly” Neal has died at 77 years old.

The Globetrotters confirmed that he died in his home outside of Houston early Thursday. His cause of death has not been confirmed.

A star with the Globetrotters during their heyday, Neal played in more than 6,000 games with the team from 1963-85.
Neal was one of the most beloved Globetrotters

His ball-handling displays, shooting touch and infectious smile were mainstays at Globetrotters games as they entertained fans around the world in basketball exhibitions.

Read more: https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/03/26/harlem-globetrotters-icon-fred-curly-neal-dies-at-77-years-old/23962464/

[CottonBear]

1. I was a big fan of Mr. Neal when I was child in the 70s

My condolences to his family.

[DonaldsRump]

5. Ditto!

We would stop what we were doing to watch them, usually, I think on Wide World of Sports?

RIP, Curly Neal! You made so many folks happy around the world. You deserve an eternity of happiness.

[CottonBear]

8. Wide World of Sports! The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat!

https://m.

I’m loved the Globetrotters! Mr. Neal was the best!

[BigDemVoter]

14. Same here!

[gibraltar72]

2. Those dudes were the ultimate goodwill ambassadors.

[MoonRiver]

3. That's so sad. I loved the HG.

[iluvtennis]

4. A grest one is gone. RIP Curly.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. I remember him

I'm sure I saw him play in the late 60s - does that time period make sense?

So sad, every day's going to be obituary watch

[Staph]

7. My mother once played with the Harlem Globetrotters!

No, really!

Back in the 1960s, the Globetrotters played at the West Virginia University Fieldhouse. Dad was the WVU basketball team's chief statistician, so he got our family courtside seats, while he did stats.

At one point the ball went out of bounds, and Mom caught it and threw it to Curly Neal. He threw it back. She threw it back again. This continued for a few rounds, until the laughter peaked - Curly had great comedic timing!

What no one but the family knew was that Mom was a basketball player. My little five-foot-nothing mother was the star of her high school girls' basketball team, back in the early 1940s. She knew what she was doing, tossing that ball back and forth!

Rest in peace, Curly. You brought joy to so many.

[CottonBear]

9. That is so awesome, Staph!

Your mom was so lucky and talented!

[Staph]

17. Mom still is lucky and talented!

She's 96 and sharp as a tack. But her basketball days are long behind her.

[CottonBear]

20. You are so fortunate to have your mom!

Be well and be safe.

[MontanaMama]

15. What a wonderful memory!

Thank you for the smile.

[GeoWilliam750]

10. I remember going to one of their games in the 1960s

So enjoyable.

[Dem2theMax]

11. We did too.

My dad took us. Absolutely loved the Harlem Globetrotters.

[Jim__]

12. We can only guess why he was called Curly.

[Omaha Steve]

13. .

[crickets]

25. He could hit that long shot all day long!

What an incredible ball player and entertainer. He will be missed.

[lefthandedskyhook]

16. He was a fine entertainer

Thanks to "the Donald" for not doing the job

[muntrv]

18. RIP Curly. I loved the Globetrotters appearance on Scooby Doo.

[catbyte]

19. I saw him play when I was a kid. He and Meadowlark Lemon were so awesome. Well, the whole

team was, but I remember those two the most.

[Ponietz]

21. Court side seat 1972 on my 11th birthday

RIP Curly

[warmfeet]

22. I got to see him play twice in the 1970's.

That was a lot of fun. I will never forget you Curly. Sometimes it seems, our hearts break just a little at a time.

I love you Curly!



Long live Curly Neal.

[oasis]

23. Thanks for the memories. Rest in Peace, Curly.

[crickets]

24. Sometime in the late sixties/early seventies, the Globetrotters came to play

at a town about an hour from ours. Some parents got a bunch of us together and took us to see them. It was so much fun and such a fond memory. Thanks to Curly, Meadowlark Lemon, and all of the Globetrotters for spreading love and joy.