Jess Kersey, who officiated more than 2,200 NBA games, including being part of 19 NBA Finals, passed away over the weekend, losing his battle with cancer at age 76.
Kersey was a well-respected official who feared nothing. Maybe the most remembered image of Kersey is him trying to break up a fight between Mitch Kupchak and Hakeem Olajuwon, essentially trying to tackle Olajuwon with his head in Olajuwon’s chest and his arms wrapped around him. Kersey got in the middle of everything if that was what was required.
The NBA family mourns the passing of former longtime referee Jess Kersey.
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2017
Jess relished the job and was one of the best at his craft.
Our thoughts go out to the Kersey family for their loss.
