Jack Ramsay Memorial Plaid Patch To Be Worn By Trail Blazers [Video]

Legendary basketball coach, Dr. Jack Ramsay, passed away earlier this week at the age of 89 after a 15 year battle with cancer. The beloved Dr. Jack is possibly most notably known for leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Championship in 1977. Ramsay went on to enjoy a successful career coaching basketball and was well loved by his players and colleagues alike.

Coach Terry Stotts has this to say about Jack Ramsay, “Obviously it’s a very sad day for the Ramsay family and the basketball community. But, also, it gives us a chance to celebrate an amazing person. He was an amazing coach. The more you read about him after his passing, how much he was beloved and respected and revered in the basketball community, it’s amazing. He had a terrific life and it’s a life that should be celebrated.”

“He’ll be missed,” Wesley Matthews states. “What he did for the NBA, what he did for basketball — and especially what he did for Portland — he’ll be missed. His legacy is always going to live on.”

A related article by The Inquisitr reports that Jack Ramsay said his coaching style was inspired by his time in the Navy during WWII. “I learned how important physical conditioning is,” said Jack. “I learned how to focus on an objective in spite of all kinds of hazards. I learned how to deal with stress, too,” he wrote. “If you make a wrong move with explosives, it could be deadly. If you’re there when they blow up the beach, you get blown up, too. So you need to get your job done correctly… then pull the fuse with enough lag time for you to clear the area completely and get picked up by the small boats.”

Ramsay’s next words may be the reason that he was so well-liked and respected. “I also learned that my connection with my team members was best handled by being in there with them.” That kind of approach is the mark of an outstanding leader, which certainly describes Jack Ramsay.

A circular plaid patch was designed in honor of Dr. Jack Ramsay. It reads dr. jack 77. The patch will be worn on the Trail Blazers uniforms in memorial to Coach Ramsay.

The following video is a touching remembrance of Dr. Jack, in the words of Keith Olbermann.

It is plain to see that Dr. Jack Ramsay will be greatly missed as the basketball world bids him a fond farewell.

[Image via Sporting News]