When you were at Princeton, I was in high school down the road at Lawrenceville. One afternoon, the Princeton team traveled to our field house for a practice. I watched you moving around the floor shooting jumpers from 10 to 25 feet out. I counted 32 swishes in a row! When you joined the Knicks, I became a huge fan. While I was at Columbia living in NYC, I attended many games at MSG cheering on those legendary Knick teams. Great memories!
Thank you for this wonderful story bill. You always have a way to out things in perspective and make great commentary on what is really important and to be learned from life. Wishing you the best and thank gor for decades if inspiration and guidance.
I know this is late, coming from left field and that politically we stand on opposite sides of the aisle. And yet, when you popped up in Substack just now, I paid attention.
As a young teen in West Caldwell, NJ I had my transistor radio under my pillow and I loved to hear Marvelous Marv Albert make the call, "Bradley from the corner...YES!" Dave and you were my heros.
I still don't know how you came back from that 19 point deficit against the Bucks...
Your name is on the certificate that was presented with the United States Flag that flew over Congress when I left active service in 1992.
I could go on and on...and in a phone call, I would love to explain all the Bradley connections in my life of 66 years.
COVID ripped us apart. Jennifer Rizzio divorced me and legally became Jennifer Bradley once again.
I don't know if she ever fully appreciated the fact that God willed us to be husband and wife. 22 years dissolved into nothingness and our three children have cancelled their dad.
I know you have heard of random acts of kindness. I know you still have a photographic memory as evidenced by your Christmas game recall. I know you love Jesus Christ.
Jenny's number is 361-563-0277.
If you text her a note of encouragement I would be eternally grateful.
I've long wondered what it's like for college and professional athletes to have to play on Christmas, and whether they do that at all wistfully. Thanks for providing us these insights, Senator.
I remember it oh so well, Bill. Those Christmas night games. My first one was on 12/25/69 versus the Pistons. The Knicks won the game in the last second. I most certainly miss those days. A great experience. Hope you're doing well. Your friend always, Ricky Piano.
We missed you at Christmastime, whether we were in CC or Palm Beach! But whenever we could get the game, we would watch, and that became a tradition too!
What a wonderful way to start Christmas morning off. Thank you Bill. Great memories. Knicks basketball, Madison Square Garden, taking the subway to 34th street station few blocks from the garden walking past all the store windows with Christmas decorations. Joy to all.
Yes Bill, it was good to have dinner with you as a senator in DC, great to meet with you in the Englewood church basement as a primary candidate at Herbert Jr.’s request, up against Dick Leone, et al, wonderful to watch Red Holtzman coach Willis, Dave, you, Earl, Phil Jackson, and the great guards.. and deflate Wilt with Willis limping… on the first practice shot, MSG provided the atmosphere, how are things at Allen & Company, Inc?
When you were at Princeton, I was in high school down the road at Lawrenceville. One afternoon, the Princeton team traveled to our field house for a practice. I watched you moving around the floor shooting jumpers from 10 to 25 feet out. I counted 32 swishes in a row! When you joined the Knicks, I became a huge fan. While I was at Columbia living in NYC, I attended many games at MSG cheering on those legendary Knick teams. Great memories!
Thank you for this wonderful story bill. You always have a way to out things in perspective and make great commentary on what is really important and to be learned from life. Wishing you the best and thank gor for decades if inspiration and guidance.
This is beautiful, Bill! Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful Christmas reflection about the meaning of team, traditions, and family - from an American perspective. It rings so enduringly true.
Merry Christmas Bill. You are the quintessential definition of an American.
Merry Christmas!
Senator Bill,
I know this is late, coming from left field and that politically we stand on opposite sides of the aisle. And yet, when you popped up in Substack just now, I paid attention.
As a young teen in West Caldwell, NJ I had my transistor radio under my pillow and I loved to hear Marvelous Marv Albert make the call, "Bradley from the corner...YES!" Dave and you were my heros.
I still don't know how you came back from that 19 point deficit against the Bucks...
Your name is on the certificate that was presented with the United States Flag that flew over Congress when I left active service in 1992.
I could go on and on...and in a phone call, I would love to explain all the Bradley connections in my life of 66 years.
COVID ripped us apart. Jennifer Rizzio divorced me and legally became Jennifer Bradley once again.
I don't know if she ever fully appreciated the fact that God willed us to be husband and wife. 22 years dissolved into nothingness and our three children have cancelled their dad.
I know you have heard of random acts of kindness. I know you still have a photographic memory as evidenced by your Christmas game recall. I know you love Jesus Christ.
Jenny's number is 361-563-0277.
If you text her a note of encouragement I would be eternally grateful.
3 Green Bradley...are the threads of my life.
Thank you so much, Bill.
God bless # 24
I've long wondered what it's like for college and professional athletes to have to play on Christmas, and whether they do that at all wistfully. Thanks for providing us these insights, Senator.
I remember it oh so well, Bill. Those Christmas night games. My first one was on 12/25/69 versus the Pistons. The Knicks won the game in the last second. I most certainly miss those days. A great experience. Hope you're doing well. Your friend always, Ricky Piano.
Merry Christmas, Bill. Billy & Faith in LA.
We missed you at Christmastime, whether we were in CC or Palm Beach! But whenever we could get the game, we would watch, and that became a tradition too!
Love, Susan
Great stuff by Senator and Dollar Bill Bradley!
What a wonderful way to start Christmas morning off. Thank you Bill. Great memories. Knicks basketball, Madison Square Garden, taking the subway to 34th street station few blocks from the garden walking past all the store windows with Christmas decorations. Joy to all.
Thanks for the sharing, for the moving memoir-essay!
Yes Bill, it was good to have dinner with you as a senator in DC, great to meet with you in the Englewood church basement as a primary candidate at Herbert Jr.’s request, up against Dick Leone, et al, wonderful to watch Red Holtzman coach Willis, Dave, you, Earl, Phil Jackson, and the great guards.. and deflate Wilt with Willis limping… on the first practice shot, MSG provided the atmosphere, how are things at Allen & Company, Inc?
Thanks so much, Bill. I hope both you and Betty Sue will participate in our project on scenarios on the future of AI.