Former Bucks player Junior Bridgeman dies after suffering medical emergency during Louisville luncheon
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CBS 58) -- Former Bucks player Junior Bridgeman has died at age 71 after suffering a medical emergency Tuesday, March 11.
Bridgeman was attending a luncheon in Louisville, Kentucky when he reportedly told people he thought he was having a heart attack.
Bridgeman became a significant minority owner of the Bucks in September with a 10% stake in the team.
As a player, he spent 10 years in Milwaukee and his jersey was retired by the team in 1988.
The #2 jersey of Junior Bridgeman hangs in the Fiserv rafters for his greatness on the court, but many would say his charity and business skills surpassed even that, to become a success in the entrepreneurial world and one of the best former athletes succeeding in life.
Before the Bucks game in Indy against the Pacers Tuesday night, an emotional head coach Doc Rivers paid tribute to his friend.
"I've known Junior for -probably- what am I, 60? I've known him since I was in college," Rivers said. "You know, he was one of the guys, him and Quinn Buckner, that would call me at Marquette to get me to go play with the Bucks, of all places. And you know, when you think about Junior's life, you know, I keep thinking like about LeBron and Magic and how influential they are to our league. And they are. And what they've done off the court is amazing. But the role model we should have is Junior Bridgeman."
Rivers went on to add that Bridgeman made at most $300,000 per year but purchased Wendy's and Chili's restaurants throughout the Milwaukee area, which eventually- with a net worth of $1.4 billion- bought a significant minority ownership in the team.
The Milwaukee Bucks released the following statement Tuesday evening:
"The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman.
Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Forum, serving as a constant remembrance of his outstanding play on the court and his impact on the Bucks’ success. His hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the nation’s top business leaders and, last September, Junior’s professional life came full circle when he returned to the Bucks family as an owner. His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization.
We are heartbroken by Junior’s passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Doris, his children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan, his entire family and all those close to him."
After years playing with the Bucks, and even more years doing business, Bridgeman built many strong relationships. We sat down with former Bucks player, broadcaster, and most importantly, one of Junior's closest friends- Jon McGlocklin.
"Never met a more humble human being in my life, and the finest person I've ever known in my life," said McGlocklin. "The best Milwaukee Buck, just a class guy."
McGlocklin and Bridgeman shared decades of memories together on and off the court.
"Always was, until today, one of the finest human beings I've ever met in my life," said McGlocklin. "A wonderful person. If you've got a million dollars to say something bad about him, you're not going to get the money because you can't say anything bad about him."
While the two were only teammates for a short time from 1975-76, McGlocklin says Bridgeman was easy to get to know and would do whatever it took to reach success on and off the court.
"Junior was just such a quality human being his whole life," said McGlocklin.
McGlocklin says it was no surprise to see Bridgeman's success grow far beyond basketball, becoming a billionaire and building a business empire.
"This man is bright, and he's got a future," said McGlocklin. "Then he started the Wendy's and doing that and learning how to flip burgers and he did all that, and grew it into an empire, quite frankly."
No matter his success, McGlocklin says what he will always value most is their friendship.