Legendary Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt Dies at age 64, Rest in Peace

A sad day for basketball … the one and only Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt has died at age 64.

Pat Summitt – Rest in Peace

I awoke this morning to the sad but not unexpected news that the legendary Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt had passed away. Summitt was truly an original and one in a million as she won eight NCAA titles and went 1,098-208 in 38 seasons as coach at Tennessee. She began coaching at the age of 22 and single-highhandedly brought woman’s college basketball to the forefront. Sadly had to step down down in 2012 due to early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s. Pat Summitt is probably the greatest woman’s basketball coach ever. This is high praise from me, one who has been a lifetime UCONN woman’s basketball fan. However, without Pat, there would never have been a Geno. What I will miss most about Pat Summitt is the glare. The woman could pierce a hole through you with that stare and she never had to apologize in this ridiculous PC world we live in for getting on her players with fiery half-time and time out speeches to get the best out of her players that she knew they had in them.

On a personal note, I can remember being at Rocky Top in Knoxville, Tennessee in the late 90′s attending a Vols football game. Prior to the game some friends and I went into the Thompson–Boling Arena and noticed that the Lady Vols were practicing. To my surprise they Lady Vols were practicing against guys and schooling them. Pat Summitt was coaching the practice like she coached a game with the same intensity. I just sat and watched in amazement as Pat lit into those girls like I had only seen a coach previously rip guys. You could tell she was a master motivator as she would then praise them when they did something amazing and trust me it was. The funny was that as my friends left to go to the UT game, I stayed. I sat in the stands and kept creeping farther down to get a better view. Anyone can attend a UT football game, I was witnessing greatness. Little did I realize how great, I was watching the preseason practice of the 1997-1998 Lady Vols, what is considered to be one of the greatest teams in the history of U.S. women’s college basketball, who went on to go 39-0.

God bless you Pat Summitt, may you now rest in eternal peace.

Former Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt has died, her son and her website said on Tuesday morning — shortly after her family publicly asked for prayers and acknowledged her health had taken a bad turn.

She was 64 years old.

Summitt announced in August 2011 that she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer retired at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season after coaching at Tennessee for 38 years. She won 1,098 games and eight national championships. The court at Thompson-Boling Arena — “The Summitt” — is named in her honor.

Summitt had been living in a retirement center since January. Around 20 former Lady Vols — including WNBA stars Candace Parker and Tamika Catchings — reportedly flew to Knoxville over the weekend to see Summitt one last time. Former Tennessee assistant Mickie DeMos was also reportedly in Knoxville.

Pat Summitt Gives Half-time speech to Lady Vols

ESPN: There will never be anyone like Tennessee legend Pat Summitt.

She was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1952, and personified the American Dream. Like most iconic figures, she inspired an almost mythical kind of devotion. But how could someone be so larger-than-life magnificent and yet so humbly warm and real?

That was the essence of Pat Summitt, the longtime Tennessee women’s basketball coach who died Tuesday morning at age 64, nearly five years after making public her diagnosis of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type.

To say there will never be anyone else like Summitt is not hyperbole. On the contrary, it seems inadequate. She won eight NCAA titles and went 1,098-208 in 38 seasons as coach at Tennessee. She was one of the most accomplished and influential figures in the history of women’s sports, but also was universally respected and beloved.

A Tribute to Pat Summitt

Michu Meszaros, the Actor Who Played “ALF” Dead at 76

HOW SAD, ALF HAS DIED …

Michu Meszaros, the actor who played “ALF” in the popular ’80s sitcom, died Sunday night at the age of 76. According to his manager, Dennis Varga, Meszaros had a stroke on June 2, and was in a coma and suffering from pneumonia since. The TV sitcom ALF  aired on NBC from September 22, 1986 to March 24, 1990. Note that  Michu Meszaros was the actor who wore the ALF suit, not the voice of ALF. The voice of ALF was actor, Paul Fusco. Meszaros died 8:20 p.m. Sunday, said Varga, who lived with Meszaros at a home in Hawthorne, California.

Meszaros, who stood only 33 inches tall, had a stroke last Thursday and had been hospitalized since. Varga says the 76-year-old actor died Sunday night.

Meszaros wore a full-body suit to portray the alien wiseguy “ALF,” which was sometimes portrayed by a puppet. The character was voiced by another actor, Paul Fusco. The NBC series ran four seasons.

Meszaros was born in Hungary and joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in 1973. He performed for U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and became friends with Michael Jackson after Jackson saw him performing, said Varga.

Three-Time World Heavyweight Champion Boxer & the “Greatest” of All Time Muhammad Ali Dies at Age 74

Muhammad Ali dead at age 74 …

The “Greatest” boxing icon of all-time, Muhammad Ali, has dies at the age of 74. The former 3-time heavy weight champion of the world died Friday at a Phoenix-area hospital, where he had spent the past few days being treated for respiratory complications. The once silver tongued boxer, who brought the art of the verbal jab and trash talking to his opponents inside and onside the ring has battled with Parkinson’s for the past three decades. As great as a boxer that Ali was in a time in which boxing was actually relevant, I can’t say that I agreed with all of his verbal tactics, but he was entertaining for the sport. Who could ever forget the “Thrilla in Manilla” with Ali and Smoking Joe Frazier.

Mohammed Ali, Rest in Peace.

Muhammad Ali, the silver-tongued boxer and civil rights champion who famously proclaimed himself “The Greatest” and then spent a lifetime living up to the billing, is dead.

Ali died Friday at a Phoenix-area hospital, where he had spent the past few days being treated for respiratory complications, a family spokesman confirmed to NBC News. He was 74.

“After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,” Bob Gunnell, a family spokesman, told NBC News.

Ali had suffered for three decades from Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition that slowly robbed him of both his verbal grace and his physical dexterity. A funeral service is planned in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

More on the Life of Mohammed Ali … “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

He was b orn Cassius Marcellus Clay on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, to middle-class parents. He started boxing when he was 12, winning Golden Gloves titles before heading to the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where he won a gold medal as a light heavyweight. He would change his name to Muhammad Ali and the rest is history.

Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston from Lewiston, Maine

Former WWE Wrestler Chyna Found Dead at Age 45

ANOTHER WWE WRESTLER HAS DIED FAR TOO YOUNG … CHYNA, THE 9TH WONDER OF THE WORLD HAS DIED.

Former WWE wrestling superstar Chyna was found dead in her apartment in Redondo Beach, Caliornia on Wednesday. Sadly, she was only 45.  The WWE Universe is once again mourning the news that the former WWF wrestler has died far too young. Chyna, real name Joanie Laurer, was found by police in her apartment not breathing. TMZ is speculation that it might be a possible drug overdose.

Chyna – RIP

The WWE Universe is in mourning following the news that the former WWF wrestler was found dead at age 45 Wednesday. Police in Redondo Beach, Calif., were called to Chyna’s apartment that afternoon after a friend discovered she was not breathing; the WWE superstar was pronounced dead on the scene. Chyna’s manager told E! News late Wednesday night that “she was found peacefully” but could not offer further details. As of now, her cause of death is unknown. However, police said there are no indications or signs that her death was the result of foul play.

Chyna’s death was announced via Twitter. “It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero,” the statement read. “Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world has passed away.

Chyna – Chyna vs Trish Stratus – WWF Womens Championship Match

Chyna was an amazing talent and a ground breaker in wrestling …

Chyna made her WWE debut in 1997 as an enforcer for Triple H. A founding member of the stable D-Generation X, she held the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice and the WWF Women’s Championship once. She was also the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring events. After leaving the WWF in 2001, Chyna wrestled occasionally, with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2011. Additionally, Chyna appeared as a cast member on VH1′s The Surreal Life in 2005. She returned to the network in 2007 for The Surreal Life: Fame Games and again in 2008 for Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. She also made six porn movies between 2004 and 2011, winning two AVN Awards.

“WWE is saddened to learn of reports that Joanie Laurer, best known for competing in WWE as Chyna, has passed away,” the organization said in a statement Thursday. “A physically striking and talented performer, Chyna was a true sports-entertainment pioneer…WWE extends its condolences to Laurer’s family, friends and fans.”

“Everybody Loves Raymond” Star Doris Roberts Dead at 90 … RIP

Doris Roberts has passed at age 90 …

“Everybody Loves Raymond” mom, Doris Roberts has passed away at the age of 90.  Best known for her role as the beloved and meddlesome mom, Marie Barone, on the sit-com Everybody Loves Raymond died in her sleep Sunday at her home in Los Angeles. The sitcom, that was one of my all-time favorites, aired from 1996 to 2005, also starred Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton. Peter Boyle, who played husband Frank Barone opposite Roberts, died in 2006. Roberts was born Nov. 4, 1925, in St. Louis and grew up in New York.  The actress began her stage career on Broadway in the 1950s, amassing credits that eventually included Neil Simon’s “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers” and Terrence McNally’s “Bad Habits.”

A fond farewell to one of the funniest actresses ever.

Doris Roberts (1925–2016), Rest in Peace

Doris Roberts wins 2005 Emmy Award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Doris Roberts, the beloved mom from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” has died … TMZ has learned.

We’re told Doris passed away Sunday in L.A.

She won 5 Emmy awards, 4 of them for ‘Raymond.’ She’s also starred in tons of other TV shows and movies, like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “Grandma’s Boy.”

She’s survived by her son, Michael Cannata Jr., who she had with her first husband. Doris’ second husband, William Goyen, died in 1983.

KTLA: Actress Doris Roberts of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Dies at Age 90.

The show’s creator tweeted Monday: “We loved our mom, the great #DorisRoberts. A wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend.”

Actress Patricia Heaton, with whom Roberts’ character faced off on the show, said the death marked the “end of an era.”

“Doris Roberts was a consummate professional from whom I learned so much,” Heaton wrote on Twitter. “She was funny and tough and loved life, living it to the the fullest.”