Erin Popovich, the wife of 5-time NBA champion head coach Gregg Popovich, has died. The San Antonio Spurs announced that Erin Popovich, the wife of 69-year-old coach Gregg Popovich, passed away on Wednesday. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Erin “had been ill over an extended period.”
Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford said “We mourn the loss of Erin. She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us.”
Erin Popovich is survived by her husband, two children and two grandchildren.
via San Antonio Spurs:
With deep regret the San Antonio Spurs announce that Erin Popovich, wife of Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich, passed away earlier today. Erin and Gregg were married for four decades and were blessed with two children and two grandchildren.
“We mourn the loss of Erin,” said Spurs General Manager RC Buford. “She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us.”
The organization asks media to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
Erin Popovich Cause of Death: Unspecific Illness
Erin Popovich, the wife of 69-year-old Gregg Popovich, passed away on Wednesday, April 18 after being “ill over an extended period of time.” At the time of the writing, it is not clear what illness Erin Popovich was suffering from
According to Bleacher Report, although Gregg Popovich is usually discrete about his personal life, he shared an anecdote about his wife Erin back in 2012, who implored him to be nicer to reporters:
“It entertains everybody but my wife,” Popovich said on Dan Le Batard’s radio show. “When I get home and she says, ‘Geez, why are you so mean? You’re a jerk, people hate you.’ I go, ‘I’m sorry, honey, I have to do better next time.'”
“And there’s no exaggeration. ‘Did you see that guy, honey? Did you see him? All you have to do is see him and you know why I answered the way I did.’ [She says], ‘That’s no excuse, you’re a grown man. Show some maturity.’ I said, ‘I can’t, I can’t do it.'”
Kevin Durant, who was meeting with reporters when the news broke, said that “The whole NBA family is supporting him, got his back through it all. Feel so bad for Pop.”
Popovich was with his Spurs on Monday night during their Game 2 loss to the Golden State Warriors. At this time, it is not clear how this effect’s Popovich’s status for the remainder of the Spurs’ first-round series against the defending champions. The Spurs play Game 3 at home against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, April 19.