Bob Love
Bob Love grew up in near poverty, with thirteen brothers and sisters in small Louisiana town. Bob dreamed of being a professional basketball player and practiced everyday with a coat hanger hoop nailed to the side of his grandmother’s door.
As he grew to a 6’8” high school senior Bob’s basketball dream became a reality. Bob played college basketball for Southern University in Louisiana and was named to the All- American Team by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. After college Bob played for the Cincinnati Royals, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Chicago Bulls, and the Seattle Supersonics.
Bob played for the Bulls from 1969-1976. For seven straight years he led the Chicago Bulls in team scoring. He was second only to Michael Jordan in history for points scored. Bob was a 3-time NBA All Star and named 3 times to the second NBA All-defensive squad.
Despite his great success as an athlete, Bob never had an endorsement deal, and was hardly ever interviewed after games because he was unable to speak due to a stuttering problem he had had since childhood. Bob dreamed of being able to speak to large audiences like his hero Martin Luther King. When his basketball career ended due to a back injury, Bob found himself jobless. It took him seven years to find a job at a Seattle Nordstrum Café as a dishwasher earning $4.45 an hour. He endured lots of humiliation as customers and former players recognized him busing tables. He would hear people whisper, “Hey that’s Bob Love… he was a great basketball player…. what a shame.”
At the age of 45 Bob found a speech therapist that helped him learn how to speak and realize his dream.
The Chicago Bulls heard Bob’s story and in 1992 hired Bob as the Director of Community Relations. Bob earns a salary speaking to groups about the Bulls and his life story. On January, 14, 1994, Bob’s Chicago Bulls jersey was retired.
Bob ran for Chicago Alderman in the 2002 election. Bob has earned a many awards and recognitions including; the Individual Achievement Award for Communicative Disorders, the Oscar Robertson Leadership Award, and the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bob’s story recently came to life on screen in a documentary film which was honored at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:
If It’s Gonna Be It’s Up To Me
Bob speaks about how you are in charge of your own destiny. Bob uses examples from his own life to prove these points. Bob discusses his journey on becoming a great basketball player, battling his stuttering problem, and landing a job as Community relations director for the Chicago Bulls despite his handicap.
Dreams Come True
Bob speaks about how to hold onto your dreams. Bob discusses his dream of becoming a great speaker, like his idol Martin Luther King Jr., and being able to speak without stuttering. Bob talks about how dreams are a foundation for your success.
Life After Basketball
Bob speaks on his life after basketball. Bob talks about how he found himself jobless and broke. Bob shares the importance of teamwork and hard work against all oddds, and his struggles to find a steady job. Bob discusses how one needs to check his/her ego at the door and how he had to do this as a bus boy at a Nordstrom cafeteria and how it led to his job as community relations director for the Chicago Bulls.
You’ve Got to Do It Yourself
Bob teaches audiences that you are in charge of your own life. It’s your responsibility to be motivated, work hard and succeed. Bob uses examples from his life to illustrate how one can to take charge of his/her own life and overcome adversity & be a winner.
What To Do When All Seems Lost
The message here is to never give in to bitterness & self-pity. Let go of the past, forgive those who have wronged you and move forward thankful for the opportunities which lie ahead. Bob talks about going from a stardom basketball player to his devastating fall into poverty. Bob shares how he overcame these obstacles and is now thriving.
Rules for the Game of Life
Bob shares with audiences his 5 life rules that help you become even more successful in life. This speech is great for sales meetings, athletics, and youth.
BOOKS:
The Bob Love Story: If It's Gonna Be, It's Up To Me
The Bob "Butterbean" Love Story (children's book)
Bob Love grew up in near poverty, with thirteen brothers and sisters in small Louisiana town. Bob dreamed of being a professional basketball player and practiced everyday with a coat hanger hoop nailed to the side of his grandmother’s door.
As he grew to a 6’8” high school senior Bob’s basketball dream became a reality. Bob played college basketball for Southern University in Louisiana and was named to the All- American Team by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. After college Bob played for the Cincinnati Royals, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Chicago Bulls, and the Seattle Supersonics.
Bob played for the Bulls from 1969-1976. For seven straight years he led the Chicago Bulls in team scoring. He was second only to Michael Jordan in history for points scored. Bob was a 3-time NBA All Star and named 3 times to the second NBA All-defensive squad.
Despite his great success as an athlete, Bob never had an endorsement deal, and was hardly ever interviewed after games because he was unable to speak due to a stuttering problem he had had since childhood. Bob dreamed of being able to speak to large audiences like his hero Martin Luther King. When his basketball career ended due to a back injury, Bob found himself jobless. It took him seven years to find a job at a Seattle Nordstrum Café as a dishwasher earning $4.45 an hour. He endured lots of humiliation as customers and former players recognized him busing tables. He would hear people whisper, “Hey that’s Bob Love… he was a great basketball player…. what a shame.”
At the age of 45 Bob found a speech therapist that helped him learn how to speak and realize his dream.
The Chicago Bulls heard Bob’s story and in 1992 hired Bob as the Director of Community Relations. Bob earns a salary speaking to groups about the Bulls and his life story. On January, 14, 1994, Bob’s Chicago Bulls jersey was retired.
Bob ran for Chicago Alderman in the 2002 election. Bob has earned a many awards and recognitions including; the Individual Achievement Award for Communicative Disorders, the Oscar Robertson Leadership Award, and the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bob’s story recently came to life on screen in a documentary film which was honored at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:
If It’s Gonna Be It’s Up To Me
Bob speaks about how you are in charge of your own destiny. Bob uses examples from his own life to prove these points. Bob discusses his journey on becoming a great basketball player, battling his stuttering problem, and landing a job as Community relations director for the Chicago Bulls despite his handicap.
Dreams Come True
Bob speaks about how to hold onto your dreams. Bob discusses his dream of becoming a great speaker, like his idol Martin Luther King Jr., and being able to speak without stuttering. Bob talks about how dreams are a foundation for your success.
Life After Basketball
Bob speaks on his life after basketball. Bob talks about how he found himself jobless and broke. Bob shares the importance of teamwork and hard work against all oddds, and his struggles to find a steady job. Bob discusses how one needs to check his/her ego at the door and how he had to do this as a bus boy at a Nordstrom cafeteria and how it led to his job as community relations director for the Chicago Bulls.
You’ve Got to Do It Yourself
Bob teaches audiences that you are in charge of your own life. It’s your responsibility to be motivated, work hard and succeed. Bob uses examples from his life to illustrate how one can to take charge of his/her own life and overcome adversity & be a winner.
What To Do When All Seems Lost
The message here is to never give in to bitterness & self-pity. Let go of the past, forgive those who have wronged you and move forward thankful for the opportunities which lie ahead. Bob talks about going from a stardom basketball player to his devastating fall into poverty. Bob shares how he overcame these obstacles and is now thriving.
Rules for the Game of Life
Bob shares with audiences his 5 life rules that help you become even more successful in life. This speech is great for sales meetings, athletics, and youth.
BOOKS:
The Bob Love Story: If It's Gonna Be, It's Up To Me
The Bob "Butterbean" Love Story (children's book)
