Dennis Johnson Former Boston Celtic Great Dies and I Knew Him Briefly

This afternoon in Austin, Texas former Boston Celtics Star Dennis Johnson died of an apparent Heart Attack at the Austin Convention Center. Dennis was the Head Coach of The Austin Toro's Basketball team. I work part time at the Convention Center and was scheduled to work a Toro's game Friday and Saturday which have now been canceled.

Last year, I was flipping channels and came across a clip ESPN was running of the Boston Celtics during the Days of Larry Bird and Dennis Johnson. The Clip showed Johnson along with the Boston bench clearing to help Larry Bird in a fight. Later, when I was working the dressing room for a Toro's game, I brought the subject up with Dennis and changed the facts deliberately. I said, "Hey, Dennis I saw a clip of you on ESPN the other day. He said something like, "Oh, really". I said, "Yeah, Bird was in trouble and you hit the Bricks and ran out of there." Of course, he knew I was kidding and went along with it and jazzed (teased) me back in the process.

I also ran into Dennis at the local HEB and Walgreens in my neighborhood and he was always very cordial.
THANKS FOR YOUR KINDNESS DENNIS! You'll be missed.