March 10, 2020 by Talia Caldwell in Sports, Nostalgia
Sports is one of society’s last great equalizers. Whether it’s a team sport like soccer or solo competititon like golf, opponents are subject to the same rules of game play. An athlete’s performance wear is no exception. Team uniforms are identical. And individual attire is subject to strict guidelines with everything from color, cut, length, and logo being regulated.
We see this most rigorously applied to no one else more than Serena Williams. Her banned “cat suit” at the 2018 French Open caused controversy among the tournament heads who called it “disrespectful”.
This rigidity of leagues and associations is the result of tending to their primary concern, profitability. Administrative bodies maximize their bottom line by catering to the mainstream audience with as little stir as possible. What suffers in the process are athletes means of self-expression.
Thankfully, throughout the history of sports professionals have found creative ways to model their personal style within the tight margins of the rule books. Apart from gratification, why is this self-pronouncement so important? Exposure. With the increase of billion dollar TV deals, social media platforms that cross the globe, and corporate partnerships, all eyes are on these larger-than-life giants at all times. The financial possibilities are endless. The most watchable athletes get the endorsem*nts, entertainment opportunities, brand cachet, even the celebrity partner.
There’s also the ego part. Since children, athletes have measured themselves against their peers by every conceivable benchmark. Appearance is no different. When trying to gain an advantage, every aspect matters. Sport pundits call this the “game within the game”. Referring to factors not quantified on a scoreboard, the game within the game could be trash talking an opponent to get into their head, visualization, picking imaginary fights with fans in the crowd like Michael Jordan did, anything that effects the psyche of a player. A player’s “drip”, which is defined as one’s personal swagger, counts as another.
Popular Atlanta rapper Gunna, whose first five projects were titled Drip Season, Drip Season 2, Drip Season 3, Drip Harder, and Drip or Drown 2, explained the meaning of rap’s most used word in 2018:
"Drip is your attire, the clothes you wear. My drip today man, I got on a Saint Laurent hoodie, some Balmain’s and some Chanel shoes because it’s Friday. I drip every day, all week, but weekends I’m really putting that sh*t on. I might wear a $10,000 outfit on a weekend, no cap.”
The jewelry, accessories, the coordinating pieces, these symbols of originality are what truly cement an athlete into legendary status.
Here is the Drip Within the Game Hall of Fame list: the best overstatements worn by sporting greats who understand that you can’t always control how well you perform, but you can always control how good you look.
1) Florence Griffith Joyner AKA “Flo-Jo”
Flo-Jo is considered the fastest woman of all time. Running the 400 meters, 800 meters, as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays in the 1988 Olympics, Joyner took home five medals; three gold, two silver. Physically, Flo-Jo was a one of a kind marvel who set and broke her own world records numerous times.
Suffering a tonic-clonic seizure in 1999, Florence’s untimely death at the age of 38 rocked the world. At the time, my step-father worked as a mortician at the historically black Angeles Funeral Home, located in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles, where Florence’s funeral was held. I remember him telling me the stories of people’s reactions to losing one of their own and the impact she had on her entire community.
Outside of her running success, when people think of Flo-Jo, what comes to mind are the bold looks she pulled off on the track. Full body tracksuits exposing a single leg, hooded track suits, bright, bold, colorful patterns, nails so long they curled over. Florence commanded attention. This Black girl from South Central’s Jordan Downs housing project had no problem showing the world that a female athlete can be flashy, fashionable, and dominant.
You know someone is a style icon when Beyoncé dresses up as them for Halloween.
2) Deion “Prime Time” Sanders
Deion had Trinidad James “All Gold Everything” moments on and off the field and in two professional sports.
Deion’s flagrant style was on full display before he even signed a professional contract. Skipping the NFL draft, Deion received the call from the Atlanta Falcons that they were selecting him 5th overall on his agent’s sofa in Winnetka, Il. Instead of putting on a stuffy suit like he would have had to do if he chose to attend the Draft, Deion dressed in a black, white and yellow nylon tracksuit. You know, the kind that makes the audible “swishy” sound as you walk. Deion’s casual getup was accompanied by black and gold retro squared sunglasses, an indeterminate amount of gold chains, four gold bracelets, a money sign earring, and two-finger gold plated rings on each hand. This was Deion’s introduction to the world as the king of drip.
A month after being drafted by the National Football League, Deion made his Major League Baseball debut for the New York Yankees.
Although the percentage of Black baseball players in the MLB was much higher in 1989 at 16.5% versus today’s 7.7%, their audience was still the suburbs of America. So you can imagine how much Deion and his jheri curl stood out. He was young, fly, flashy, and fast. Between his athletic gifts and his closet, Deion was must watch TV giving him the name “Prime Time”.
3) Allen Iverson
No one influenced early 2000’s NBA culture more than Allen Iverson. His pre-game outfits led the late David Stern, the NBA’s commissioner at the time, to implement the racially-tinged “Dress Code”.
On the court, Iverson sported a combination of the headband, wristband, calf band, finger sleeve, shooting sleeve, and leg sleeve all at once. Iverson essentially wore an entire Footlocker for each game.
When I think of Iverson’s career, five particular moments come to mind. The first is Iverson’s shimmy and shake on Michael Jordan his rookie year. The classic, “your idols become your rivals, you make friends with Mike, but gotta A.I. him for your survival” moment. Thank you Drake for that forever important line. Second, Iverson disrespectfully stomping over Tyronn Lue, yes, former championship winning coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James whisperer, Ty Lue, after knocking down a through-the-leg step back fade-away during overtime of game 1’s 2001 NBA Finals. Third, AI’s misunderstood practice rant which came days after the murder trial for the man accused of killing Iverson’s best friend, Rahsaan Langeford, just seven months earlier. This life-altering tragedy deeply affected Iverson throughout the season as he struggled to cope with the loss. Fourth, Iverson’s mother braiding his hair in the middle of a game. Five, A.I.’s 1999 Slam magazine cover.
4) Ken Griffey Jr.
Baseball and the MLB aren’t known for being avant-garde in much of anything. The game resisted instant replay or any type of technology to improve its accuracy until 2014. And the long storied New York Yankees franchise still requires that all of their players be clean shaven just as the original owner George Steinbrenner did back in 1973 when he implemented their facial hair policy. Baseball values tradition and doing things “a certain way”.
So in 1989, when a young, Black, talented twenty-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. AKA “The Kid”, came into the majors confidently wearing a backwards cap and stud earrings, some of the league’s old guard expressed their discontent. In Jay Caspian King’s phenomenal New York Times piece “The Unbearable Whiteness of Baseball”, he writes how Griffey was, “in a long line of coded racial arguments, minor battles between two types: the “standard” white player and his nonwhite foil”. Former Yankees manager Buck Showalter said Griffey’s backwards hat and untucked shirttail showed a “lack of respect for the game”. Meanwhile, the backwards cap made him one of the only MLB players I knew by name. I even bought Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey Jr. for my Nintendo 64 because Ken Griffey’s very essence and identity was something I gravitated and related to.
As a young child, I didn’t realize that I was already conveying resentment over the constant politicizing and policing of the Black Athlete.
For me, the backwards cap was more than a style choice. It was a small act of freedom. I cheered louder every time a Buck Showalter felt the need to give their opinion on Griffey’s presentation. Today, my sentiment remains the same. As King eloquently puts it, “by instinct, honed reflex and general contrarianism, I root for all “flashy” “showboats” who are “disgraces to the game.”
5) Serena Williams
Brand ambassador for the luxury Swiss watch manufacturer, Audemars Piguet, Serena Williams’ exclusive timepiece collection has been well documented. And at 2019’s Wimbledon, the 23-time Grand Slam winner didn’t disappoint with her Audemars Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph.
Wearing more jewelry than Kate Middleton who was in attendance, Serena’s ensemble featured a V-shape jewel set diamond ring custom made to hold her massive engagement ring, a diamond heart-shaped pendant choker, diamond earrings, a bracelet, and 34 Swarovski crystals embedded in her top’s Nike swoosh. I can’t wash dishes if a hair tie is hanging from my wrist, yet Serena can serve a tennis ball at 135 mph with an arm full of bling. That is why she is the G.O.A.T.
Got a broken clock
Rollies that don’t tick-tock
Audemars that’s losing time
Hidden behind all these big rocks
Yeah, I got an Audemar, I ain’t set the time once and I know they say they shine, I ain’t seen ‘em shine once
6) Michael Johnson
One of the greatest sprinters of all-time, Michael Johnson won 16 gold medals throughout his illustrious track career and still holds several of the top sprinting times in the 400, 200, and 100 meters. Johnson did all of this while looking like the fifth member of Boyz II Men. Apparently, Johnson was sprinting from the track straight to the club in his watch, necklace, and earring.
7) Barry Bonds
Once again, Black people and Baseball. Barry Bonds isn’t that well liked in the baseball world because of his involvement with steroids during the inflated home-run era of the 90’s and early 00s.
Bond’s body went from skinny ‘90s Busta Rhymes to beefed up ‘00s Busta Rhymes.
Considering the fact that steroid use in this era was closer to the norm rather an outlier with just Bonds, MLB owes Barry Bonds acknowledgement for being the best hitter baseball has ever seen and needs to give him his well-earned due.
Outside of his bulked physique, there’s another look Bonds is known for-his dangling cross earring that he wore throughout his 21 year career.
Odell Beckham and every hype beast today owe Barry a big thank you for making this look popular.
Barry may not be in baseball’s Hall of Fame, but he’s definitely in instagram’s lookbook hall of fame.
8) Tim Thomas’ Double Headband
I don’t know what’s more ridiculous, the fact that Tim Thomas wore double headbands in an NBA game or that I too copied this look in an AAU practice after seeing him and Nelly flaunt it.
To the relief of many, this did not become a trend.
Tim Thomas being the sole NBA player to wear the double headband solidifies it as a hall of fame accessory moment. Sometimes the world is simply not ready for your genius.
7) Michael Jordan’s Calf Sleeve
We all wanted to be like Mike. If that meant suffering from shin splints so severe that we needed to wear a calf band, then so be it. Some say Jordan started wearing the calf sleeve to alleviate his shin pain, others believe it was for fashion. Either way it looked incredible.
Ingenious enough, Jordan invented the modern day calf band. All Jordan did was take a knee sleeve, slide it down a few inches, and fold it at the top to hide the company logo. The red inside just happened to match his Bulls jersey.
Of course Kobe Bryant, MJ’s carbon copy, had to rock the calf sleeve just like his idol.
9) Marshawn Lynch’s Gold Fronts
Marshawn Lynch is Oakland culture personified.
10) The Most Expensive Drip: Odell Beckham’s Richard Millie
I just... what?
I just put a Richard on the card
I ain’t grow up playin’ ball
Richard Mille cost a Lambo (That’s a Lambo)
Known to keep the baddest [women] on commando (Salute)
Do you know how rich you have to be to wear a house on your wrist while running through tackles, dirt and Gatorade showers? I have never felt as economically average as I did when I saw Odell wearing a $350,000 RM 11-03 McLaren Flyback Chronograph in the Cleveland Browns’ opening game against the Tennessee Titans. Considering the Browns haven’t made the playoffs in 18 years, Odell’s timepiece is the only reason I paid any attention to this game.
Unintentional Drip: The Baggy T-shirt Under the Jersey
I don’t know when this stopped being a thing. It wouldn’t surprise me if the NCAA legislated the baggy t-shirt out of the game the same way they legislate most fun out of these children’s lives. What made the baggy t-shirt under the jersey equally stylish and humorous was the fact that it was often worn by the slimmest player on the team.
Creative Drip: Terrell Owens’ Sharpie
In the prime of his career, Terrell Owens was the NFL’s loudest talker. He more than backed it up on the field accumulating 15,934 receiving yards over his 16-year career, making Jerry Rice the only person with more yards. The 6-time Pro-Bowler also caught 153 touchdowns, good for 3rd all-time, and is the only player to score a touchdown against every NFL team. If he didn’t piss so many people off with his mouth his resume would have guaranteed him a first ballot hall of fame entry.
On October 14th 2002, in a nationally televised Monday Night Football game, Terrell Owens caught a 37-yard touchdown pass to put his 49ers up one and win the game. The best part of the play was the celebration. Instead of breaking out a generic dance move or slapping his chest, T.O. shocked viewers by pulling a Sharpie pen out of his sock. T.O. then proceeded to sign the football and walk the instant piece of memorabilia over to a fan, creating a classic NFL moment. Showmanship at its finest. I would have voted Owens into the football Hall of Fame for this theatrical act alone.
Step 1: Catch and run the football into the end zone
Step 2: Pull the Sharpie out of your sock and sign the football
Step 3: Be a nice guy and toss the football to a lucky fan
Honorable Mention: LaDainian Tomlinson’s Dark Visor
For someone whose skill set is predicated on vision, I don’t understand how LaDainian Tomlinson saw much of anything out of his visor; which makes the rushing numbers from the league’s former MVP that much more impressive. Back when the NFL actually valued running backs, Tomlinson ran for 13,684 yards and 145 touchdowns, placing him top 5 in both statistical categories.
LaDainian Tomlinson was rightly inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Most Economical: Caron Butler’s Straws
Caron Butler will forever be a part of the unlikely Dallas Mavericks team that spoiled the “not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4…” championship celebration for LeBron James’ Miami super team in 2011. Another unlikely fact is that throughout Caron’s 12 year career, he had what some would call a “strange” must-have accessory for every game. Straws. Caron would chew on straws during the course of a game as a means to relax. Every single game. And not just any straw, McDonald’s straws specifically.
In this three minute video, Caron not only explains why McDonald’s straws are superior, he shows off his impressive ability to distinguish a McDonald’s McStraw from 15 different competitors in a “blind chew test”.
With Caron having played in almost 1,000 career NBA games, McDonald’s definitely missed out on a prime partnership.
Which all-time great athlete accessory deserved to be on the list? Please comment below with some of your favorites.
