John R. Thompson's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech

John R. Thompson delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1999. To learn more about John R. Thompson take a look at his official Hall of Fame bio at www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famer...

[@guyhill3528]

The man spent his entire speech thanking everyone who helped him in any way build Georgetown Basketball into the juggernaut it was. What a class act. RIP Coach John Thompson.

[@dusk6159]

And look at him saying the good thing and giving everything back to coach Auerbach (man of action if there is one) and giving him what he deserves, as he himself is getting. Like for his other models, pupils and friends. This is manly. And colorblind.

[@dwaynejakes2431]

Rest well Coach Thompson!! Your impact on the game goes well beyond the court. Thank you for standing up and sticking to your beliefs.

[@tronskee32]

RIP Coach. A powerful, proud, & unapologetically Black man & great leader. 🙏🏾

[@Prd64twl]

🙂 Humbly proud. He touched so many lives for the better. 🏀 More than a coach...a father figure. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@dusk6159]

Let's not make this about race, for example the friendship and mentorship of coach Thompson with the great Red Auerbach is one of the best and most iconic of something like basketball, which is a thing that brings black and white brothers together and seemlessly, when colour isn't even a thing or something noticeable. Look at that room full of legends and friends, and now it's only natural and obvious to see each other as just fellow men.

[@desmondcesar2688]

you all prolly dont give a shit but does anybody know a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly forgot my login password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me.

[@oakleyshiloh9755]

@Desmond Cesar instablaster ;)

[@williamjudge8722]

About race? Of course. He was you are.

[@cdbkingjr]

RIP coach. A teacher that turned boys into good men. No greater legacy.

[@dusk6159]

No wonder that he gave all of his esteem to the example Auerbach's gave. Giant of a coach and man.

[@jgionti3]

RIP coach. What an absolutely moving speech. As tough a customer as there was but a great teacher and leader. I will always remember you on the sidelines with your trademark towel.

[@bcm12079]

Rest In Peace, Coach Thompson! Your legacy will live on forever! God bless.

[@joannkelly7994]

God rest his soul and condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones who loved him. Thank you for being such a decent man and human being.

[@insidewrestlingtruth]

one of the greatest coaches from any sport of any era

[@paulthomas9911]

Nate Lubick is the only white player to have played consistent, meaningful minutes in the past decade for Georgetown. His nickname? Thundersnow (n). Because of course he needed a nickname to emphasize his whiteness. While I am sure he got along well with the rest of the team, the fans perceived him as something "other"--something uncharacteristic of Georgetown basketball players. Most of the other white players (in no small part due to their status as walk-ons) have been treated by the fans as human victory cigars. "Silly white person," the cheers seems to say, "'real' Georgetown players are black." John Thompson = worst racist you will see. of course protected due to the color of his skin.

[@user-qq5zb8vd8b]

This guy lost against USSR and we didnt have even 1 black player (sucker)

[@user-qq5zb8vd8b]

he doesnt deserve to be in HOF

[@paulthomas9911]

@Stephen Shelley John Thompson was the biggest racist we have seen in sports. the problem is, he gets a free pass on his bigotry because hes black. truth.

[@williebutler5067]

Yes sir John Thompson was a great coach. And a Maker of men.

[@drummajor]

Mr. Thompson spent his whole speech thanking people, as if everyone already knew his story. I didn't even know that he played for the Boston Celtics.

[@KSmall109CAB]

He got two rings playing as a backup to Bill Russell.

[@marvinhagler4721]

YOU MUST BE YOUNG

[@earlrogersjr3026]

Marvin Hagler I must be too because I remember him as a coach but not as a player and I am 82 years old

[@marvinhagler4721]

@@earlrogersjr3026 IN DC WE KNEW THIS..BUT JOHN THOMPSON WAS AS DC AS MARION BARRY..FACTS

[@dusk6159]

@@KSmall109CAB Two great NBA legends like that, and two NBA coach legends like him and the great Red Auerbach. RIP John and Red.

[@markvicens5459]

He made Georgetown a powerhouse! A great man & teacher. May he rest in paradise❤️🙏👍

[@kennethbunch673]

I am a D.C native just like Big John...I am proud to say that I have been in his presence on more than one occasion...From attending the Kenner league up McDonough Hall on Georgetown campus to the Street ball games in Barry Farms Projects...I’m also proud that I attended the same Jr.High School..Browne Jr. High...R.I.P Coach....Hoya Paranoia forever.

[@igorlobkovenko9480]

These are the people we will never replace. Its a testament to John Thompson but its also very sad. RIP Big John.

[@KerkinWayno]

Man we are gonna miss u coach

[@joyjordan24]

RIP Coach. What an incredible mark you have left for the game of basketball.

[@dusk6159]

Unmatched, just great

[@triplem13]

A true coach. Father. Icon. RIP.

[@80sPastorDude]

John Thompson loved Dean Smith and Dean Smith loved John Thompson. And because of that, this UNC fan loved him too. One of my favorite memories of Dean winning his first title is him grabbing Big John and hugging him. The world is little dimmer without both of them.

[@j-rock5083]

REST IN POWER COACH THOMPSON!! I grew up watching you as a kid! If I was able to play college ball, YOU would be the one I would play for!!

[@NickWuebker]

Rest Easy, Big John.

[@dusk6159]

The part when Thompson gave all the respect to the great and gritty Red Auerbach attending was the greatest.

[@rdiazca]

I met John Thompson at the De La Hoya vs Bernard Hopkins fight at the MGM. I was a college basketball junkie and recognized John as he sat next to me, I said hey coach and he shook my hand. This fight was sold out but on the day of the fight they open a new section and I was lucky to buy two seat.

[@matthewfaraone4747]

Rest easy to one of the pioneers grew basketball, grew the big east, and set one of the best examples as a role model. I really hope Patrick carries his legacy if they can play again soon in honor of him this is a sad loss for the big east fans

[@diggydoc9904]

R.I.P Coach!!!!!! Simply one of the best

[@ellisisland1374]

RIP legendary Mr. John Thompson!👑❤

[@melbonejosiah4827]

Rest well Coach! The entire Metro DC area will miss you!

[@keving5065]

Your impact on lives was honorable coach. RIP Big John

[@21salutes63]

I love big john!! Had so much wisdom , & miss listening to his radio show on 980...A true legend!! R.I.H Coach

[@actwonder9637]

Rest well Coach.... Thank you for inspiring and teaching so many not only about basketball but about life and being accountable as men....

[@CharlieBrown-ub9hl]

Thank you coach Thompson ... for teaching us all, how to be great black men

[@timhoward5]

Great men*

[@dusk6159]

He definitely did the world to make black young men real Men with valours, and protected those in danger of a criminal life. But Thompson is an inspiration to both white and black men too, and men in general.

[@t3morga]

I have so much respect for this man. Thank you sir🙏

[@chunguszaza]

Rest in Power coach Thompson 🕊

[@jrock2720]

i was at this ceremony. traveled up from connecticut as i was a big hoya fan. was dead center stage about 80-100 feet back. a wonderful evening and i felt lucky to be there among so many basketball luminaries. kevin mchale was also inducted as part of this class and a number of legendary celtics were in attendance. i was picking up my ticket from will call when someone's head was suddenly above me. i looked up and it was dave cowens.

[@bobbyb.7809]

RIP JOHN THOMPSON!!🙏

[@nickcupkovic5721]

Thank the NBA to educate us on these relationships from coaches to players to management and the school's There is solemn understanding and Love in the Arena

[@demondtaylor5120]

Made Georgetown Basketball a powerhouse Rest In Power John Thompson

[@beezy22]

Salute respect blessings hearts thoughts and prayers...rip John Thompson (1941-2020)......

[@squirrelsgarden]

Rest in power Coach Thompson ✊🏿

[@jaykingthoughts]

Rest easy big fella🙏🏾

[@nr30199]

Happy birthday Coach Thompson my birthday twin!! Honored to share a birthday with you.

[@Balraj.G.]

R.I.P. Coach your Georgetown teams were amazing!! Salute!! ✊🏽✊🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@MrPppitts1]

That was a great human being

[@MrJordan1046]

R.I.P. COACH JOHN THOMPSON🙏🏻

[@Spacejunk57]

Great coach of Georgetown rest in peace. Respect.

[@kristianlukac5043]

R.I.P. Coach Thompson

[@kyletorres202]

didn't knew that he was a celtic before until now .......RIP Coach !!!!

[@larrytxeast]

7:44 Dean Smith, also a huge legend. This is probably one of the last big things that went on that he understood before dementia took over.

[@dusk6159]

The Thompson moments and thankings with Smith and especially Red were so great, natural, heartfelt and touching.

[@ShawnC.T.]

Evertime I see John Thompson, all I can hear is him standing up on sideline yelling "HIGH HIGH HIGH"...

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

John Thompson coached and mentored many great NBA Players Patrick Ewing Dikembe Mutombo Allen Iverson Alonzo Mourning Eric "Sleepy" Floyd

[@paulthomas9911]

Abel, were any of those players white?

[@seangoodman2642]

Reggie Williams David Wingate Jerome Williams Jaren Jackson

[@zachzachzach2335]

Otto Porter Jr. Jeff Green

[@coolmovieman1]

great speech!

[@koolpopjones6499]

Rest In Peace Coach 🏀🙏

[@zackmarohom6348]

Respect ✊🏿 RIP SIR, hall if fame.❤️👏👏👏👏👏🎊🎊🎊🎊

[@tclass99]

Sometimes people ask "if you could talk to any person, living or dead, who would it be?".... John Thompson would be one of those people for me.

[@darryljoyner]

I could only make it to the four minute mark. I always loved coach and his loss is still felt by many.

[@nanaowusufordjour1439]

AMAZINGLY AMAZING ‼️

[@dariushodges5328]

RIP! Coach

[@lavertnero2505]

RIH Coach John Thompson!!!

[@Say789]

NEED OF THIS IN THE WORLD!

[@Say789]

Apologies, in my enthusiasm 🙏 Need more of this in the WORLD 🌎

[@giacomogiacomo1194]

One of the greatest coach.

[@Wiscowaterboy]

REST IN PEACE COACH🙏🙏🙏

[@Truu127]

G.O.A.T

[@xingzeilol4656]

R.I.P. Coach 🙏🙏

[@timhunter8945]

COACH YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO I WILL MISS YOU ✌✌✌✌

[@hoseamatavao1208]

Just the little i 👂 hear about the coach much love to you big guy "They sed he kept the kids out of the light to keep them (Safe) in that (Era)

[@mattdurbin8263]

HOYA SAXA We faced lots of racism in the early 80s at GU. Oh boy, and when Thompson got Patrick to come to DC because he told his mother Patrick will get a degree, the media went nuts - especially in Boston, where Ewing was expected to go to BC. Classy fans in Philly, Providence, and other away venues trew bananas at Pat, held up signs "Ewing Can't Read." But we kicked the crap out of foes.Pat Ewing was as nice a person as you could meet, given all the bananas, death threats, and nasty signs. I drove with two GU dorm pals the 24 hours from DC down to New Orleans my freshman year to cap a tremendous Hoya run to the Final Four in 1982. I got lucky and sat with other GU pals closer to the floor (The student seats were miles away at the Super Dome). The Mighty Hoyas are playing a very tough Louisville team in the second National Semi-Final. Being from Kentucky, I snuck in a large boda bag of bourbon, to help us get through an extremely tense game. So the game was very tense. Thompson and Denny Crum went at it. I saw a nervous GU priest nearby, and offered him some of our whiskey. He gladly accepted. Unaware of NCAA rules about booze served at NCAA Tourney games andthinking free bourbon, two sportswriters from Boston, who had been dissing Pat the whole game, tapped me on the shoulder for a hit of bourbon. "NO"We as students adored Coach Thompson. What he wanted to hear most at games and pep rallies was DE-FENSE. And so we roared DE-FENSE.And yep, Patrick graduated with us in May, 1985 - 4 years - and went on to his Hall of Fame Career. HOYA SAXA

[@mannybricks3811]

Nice history lesson. #HoyaSaxa

[@paulthomas9911]

Thompson hated white people. very racist guy. it is just ignorance.

[@paulthomas9911]

we faced a lot of racism watching john thompson say "i would never recruit a white player".

[@SuperfanDK]

@@paulthomas9911 Most of the mentors that this "racist" man talked about and thanked in his speech are white men, so you can shut the hell up.

[@paulthomas9911]

@@SuperfanDK because some white men liked John thompson means he isnt a racist bigot? try again. when a coach says 'i would never recruit a white player', hes racist. period. he just doesnt get called out because he has the skin color the liberal media approves of.

[@jaybierman2817]

A great man!

[@kincamell]

Gratitude.

[@pompycano10]

RIP Coach Thompson

[@josephsmith7022]

R.i.p

[@gema-georgetownentertainme5321]

Hoya Saxa Coach Thompson - thank you for everything you did for Georgetown - RIP

[@TempeSoldier123]

Legend.

[@marvinhagler4721]

RIP JOHN THOMPSON...WE WILL MISS YOU IN THE DMV...SORELY

[@drummajor]

You must be old..!

[@marvinhagler4721]

@@drummajor .IN THE DMV..WE KNEW THIS IN THE 80s

[@drummajor]

I don't care where you live, you still must be old. What is your age, and the discussion is over.

[@innovativeexpress9171]

RIP

[@darrylking2500]

He Made Georgetown what it is Today Like it or Not .The University Needs to put A Statue Made of Him. The Man Has Made boys into Men Georgetown has had the Greatest Run of College Big Men Ever 💪 P. Ewing, R.Dalton A.Mourning, D. Mutombo, A.Harrington ,& G. Monroe I rest my Case.

[@andrewbean24.2]

We gotta start tbe petition, that is going to be nice

[@nolimittim8115]

LL coach tha Greatest

[@ashawnbowman5204]

John Thompson srt8 from Southeast Washington dc

[@akindele13]

Uptown too😁

[@blackcobra1981]

He got that Marvin Gaye/ Barry White voice.....R.I.P

[@Phillygoat1983]

He like a family member rip to a icon

[@smokeyjoe795]

A real man. Everything you should be.

[@edwardglass1173]

DC’s finest. The greatest of all time. From nothing. Something.

[@jahidiop5900]

First class coach well deserved where was iverson thou ??

[@ayv-]

HE HAS 2 RINGS PLAYING IN THE NBA

[@baroh2413]

"When Edmond tried to assure him that his players were not involved in anything illegal, the 6'10" Thompson stood up and pointed his index finger between Edmond's eyes. Thompson, known for his legendary volatility, quickly boiled over, and unleashed a profanity-laced tirade in which he told Edmond that he didn't care about his crew's violent reputation or propensity to commit murder. Edmond had crossed a line with Thompson's players..."

[@rickrobinson4502]

Big John didn't. give a fuck

[@muckmire3716]

That's a man's man right there. He was fair, firm, loving, loyal, and fierce.

[@theechitownhannibal5613]

He is an ancestor now....May the Creator bless you Baba

[@Blu-Man]

If only

[@pretorious700]

Coach Thompson never saw an NCAA recruiting rule he couldn't circumvent.

[@kyletorres202]

a few big men who became coaches of the game...

[@johnwest194]

he forgot to thank his wife

[@gregd630]

I see Coach is being called racist. Funny he would hire a white coach as his assistant and push to get him hired as the head coach after he retired.

[@KTF0]

gregd630 That was all bullshit that the other schools said so he wouldn't recruit white players.

[@paulthomas9911]

Greg, of course thompson had white assistants. blacks love having whites report to them to switch around the power structure. very racist asshole. Thompson was a piece of racist shit.

[@zacherynewton6866]

gregd630 it never ceases to amaze me when a white man who is clearly racist calls a black man a racist... you all need to shut the hell up and climb back under the rock from whence you came.

[@paulthomas9911]

not at all. I find it funny nobody calls out thompson on his racism. well, sucks to be in the thompson family... shit coaches couldnt even make the tournament this year. bigoted asshole.

[@muckmire3716]

Thompson was portrayed as a mean Black man and racist by the press because he wasnt an ass kisser and he called them out on their bullshit and he was fiercely protective of his players. Meanwhile alot of his close circle and friends are white and the coaches loved and respected Big John. Notice all the white associates he honored? @@paulthomas9911 is a bitch ass asshole and the racist type who hated Georgetown and John Thompson because they were a Black dominated team. He also did have white players. He is jealous of Black players because he was a scrub and was constantly getting shitted on because his game was garbage

[@ericyi]

cmon iverson whats wrong with you ?

[@timhoward5]

alonzo

[@frankwhite58]

Big John. Let's go hoyas.. Georgetown... Started hip- hop- basketball....🏀💰🏆🌹🍷🎼🙏. 🎤.

[@williamjudge8722]

And never won a thing.

[@yourpants194]

multimillionaires and they showed up to give you a towel 😂

[@bigstink9]

I hope you're joking?? That towel over his shoulder was John Thompson's trademark when he coached. He was always sweating buckets during games.

[@yourpants194]

@@bigstink9 thats what the announcer said dummy did u not watch the video? i just thought it was funny

[@bigstink9]

@@yourpants194 Nope, I didn't watch the entire vid. Please don't call me names. It hurts my feelings.:( RIP Big John

[@bartier861]

Rs

[@toddgoza3522]

Hoya nation

[@josephknowles9015]

The first time in my life I saw people that look like me on TV playing Basketball I've been LOVE GEORGETOWN EVER SINCE RIP MY COACH 4LIFE❤

[@postaltraining]

how many white players did thompson ever coach?

[@paulthomas9911]

thompson coached no white people. he hates white people. thompson = bigot

[@seangoodman2642]

This is false. Thompson didnt have white players often because coaches recruiting players told the kids they'd never get to play at Georgetown because Thompson (its called negative recruiting).

[@postaltraining]

@@seangoodman2642 that's called good old racism

[@seangoodman2642]

Not on coaches part

[@postaltraining]

@@seangoodman2642 come on man, who do you think you're stroking. gerogetown university is historically about 7% black but under thompson had 100% black teams. who was the racist then, his assistant?

[@paulthomas9911]

Racist.Bigot.

[@akindele13]

Good

[@HoosierRooster]

racisr....yes...i said it....

[@paulthomas9911]

Herb, John Thompson was the most racist bigot in the NCAA. bar none.

[@1970sBestMusic]

Not as bad as you two assholes

[@paulthomas9911]

racist prick. never seen a coach refuse to recruit a white player. but at least he has the guts to come out and admit his racism when he said he would never recruit a white player.

[@brucescott4261]

paul thomas ...It was your race that started all of this racism (e.g.: white only, colored only). Remember?

[@paulthomas9911]

maybe a good point but i am just stating a fact. John Thompson = racist bigot.

[@akindele13]

@@paulthomas9911 boo hoo, go back 6o to your cave

[@paulthomas9911]

@@akindele13 admit it...thompson = racist bigot. gets a pass due to skin tone privilege

[@akindele13]

@@paulthomas9911 No he wasn't a bigot. He played certain type of Basketball, and White players didn't wanna go there. Just like Providence, Seton Hall during that era, had virtually no white players. The Big East during that period barely had White players. Cause the brand off Basketball they played was dubbed "Jail Ball". White guys wanted no parts off that.

[@jaymichael1590]

RIP