Harlem Globetrotters Legend Fred 'Curly' Neal Dies at Age 77

bleacher report ^ | March 26 2020 | JOSEPH ZUCKER

[BBQToadRibs]

My Grampa took me to a Globetrotters game in the 1970s, had the time of my life.

[dfwgator]

Greatest dribbler ever, say “hi” to Meadowlark for me.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Meadowlark, Curly & Co. Couldn’t help but like those guys.

RIP Mr. Neal.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

He was a treasure. Amazing skills.

RIP

[Political Junkie Too]

They did a show at my middle school when I was 10.

-PJ

[ZinGirl]

Out dad took us in the 70’s! In Denver. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Veggie Todd]

Dear Actors and Musicians that I grew up with,

Please stop dying.

Thank you.

[fhayek]

The Globetrotters were something of an institution, back in the day. ABC Wide World of Sports (I really miss that show, it was...Saturday evening for me), had them on all the time. Sad news.

[ConservativeMind]

I really liked Curly.

He will be missed.

[dfwgator]

I used to watch “The Popcorn Machine” every Saturday morning.

[MrEdd]

I am not much for team sports as a spectator (liked actually playing football though) and most of these sports obituaries don’t really click.

The Globetrotters though, those guys were entertaining and my mother was able to get tickets often in the sixties and seventies.

The kids cartoon series wasn’t bad for a celebrity thing either.

[Magnum44]

I saw them in Atlanta (Omni) as a kid in the 70's.

[Bell Bouy II]

What a treat, you were fortunate

[CJ Wolf]

RIP Curly. Saw the globetrotters and him as a kid. Best basketball game I have seen. Cartoon was fun too.

[LongWayHome]

I saw them in the old Boston Garden as a kid. It was amazing watching them live.

[foreverfree]

Say hi to Meadowlark (and my Dad) for me, Curly. Dad and I enjoyed you guys at the Spectrum in Philly when I was in 9th grade. Philly DJ Hi Lit was PA announcer at that game. Say hi to Hyski too.

[Atticus]

I saw them at Madison Square Garden in the 1970s when they were probably at the peak of their popularity. Pure entertainment. They had a Saturday morning cartoon at the time, too.

[Rdct29]

They were great players and entertainers. They put on a great show for us kids. I will always remember watching them play.

[dowcaet]

I’m in my early fifties so I got to see the Globetrotters when they had Curly Neal, Meadowlark Lemon, Geese Ausbie and Sweet Lou Dunbar among others. They were fun and so entertaining to watch! I grew near in southeastern CT so every time they came to Hartford, Providence, NYC or Boston my family made every effort to see them!

[BlueStateRightist]

I met Curly Neal in a hotel lobby in St. Louis in 1989. He introduced himself and struck up the conversation with me. Very friendly and personable.