Back in the Day: Livin’ the Jersey Life
By Cecilio's Scribe on Jan 05, 2009 with Comments 15
Check it. Admit it, you’re jealous. I know. Isn’t that one of the great things about heading home for the holidays once you’ve “grown up” and moved away? Those occasions where you find yourself digging through an old drawer and finding some love note you wrote to a chick in sixth grade, or that cut off t-shirt you wore under your high school jersey that you thought was so badass at the time but was actually quite awful in retrospect.
This latest trip home, though, uncovered a real treasure. As my mom bounded down the stairs from a jaunt to the attic with my fiancee to check out some old family relics, she held out a long-forgotten article and naively asked: “do you need this for anything?”
Not surprisingly, the answer was an emphatic, exuberant and unequivocal “yes!” Bad Moon Rison? Are you kidding me!? Of course, I have absolutely no realistic use for such a garment at this time, but it traveled back to New York City with me as my future wife shot me an incredulous look that was part how-old-are-you and part you’ve-got-to-be-f-in-kidding me.
To explain the cultural significance of the random jersey and its relative importance to my fashion repertoire in middle school/junior high was simply too great a task. How to explain that these were some of my most prized possesions? Was it even worth breaking down how in fifth grade I had a black turtleneck and a gold one each of which was used exclusively to color coordinate with my replica New Orleans Saints jersey? Should I break down the costs of the iron-on style letters/numbers versus the tackle twill? No, people simply mock what they do not understand.
My Rison jersey specifically did not score tremendous points on the random scale like some others. Instead, it was just money. I think I got it shortly after Andre arrived in Hotlanta. The most frightening fact is that it still almost fits, which speaks more to how absurdly I must have looked in said garment when I was a wee buck. Oh, if I only I had a picture. Others in my hallowed jersey history included a Pats Bledsoe jersey (no matter my love for the Jets and hatred for New England), said Saints jersey (I believe with my own last name…terrible), a nameless Colorado Buffs uni, an Adam Graves Rangers sweater, a SJ Sharks jersey, a Griffey Mariners model and, of course, Bad Moon himself.
So, what are the jersey skeletons (or stunners) in your old closets? Don’t even front like you don’t (or didn’t) have them. Hit me up in the comments.
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i still own a Chris Webber Warriors jersey, Clyde Drexler USA Dream Team Jersey, Glen Big Dog Robinson Bucks Jersey and a Ruben Sierra Yankees t-shit jersey.
I actually have a Rison Browns jersey, Kevin Johnson Browns jersey, a Thurman Thomas, a Clemens Sawx jersey, ( which I cannot believe I haven’t burned yet), and a Ricky Proehl Cards jersey. I really have no idea why I got the last one, i was young.
the Rickey Proehl Cards jersey is fantastic
oh, the many hours spent in Big League Threads as a youngster…
Tyrone Wheatley Giants, Juwan Howard Bullets, Mike Maroth Tigers, and Tony Boselli Jaguars. Dude, what was I thinking?
it takes a real man to wear an o-lineman jersey. much respect.
big league threads = best. store. ever.
Ricky Williams Saints jersey, and the winner of them all…an Orlando Rage XFL Jersey!
Let’s see, the older ones, Every top Steeler LB(Lambert, Lloyd, Greene, Kirkland, Bell, Porter) 2 Stargell jerseys, a Clemente from Pitt and Puerto Rico, Connie Hawkins Pittsburgh Pipers, Tony Gwynn, Kirby Puckett, Nolan Ryan Rangers, Duncan and Brand USA, Magic on Mich. St., Roy Hobbs, Sammy Sosa Cubs, Pedro BoSox, Barry Sanders and a Tony Dorsett from Pitt. Can you guess where I am originally from?
Those are just the older ones,I have about 15 others. However, I haven’t bought a new jersey since I got Ward and Polamalu SB XL jerseys. As a friend said, I will never get a jersey of someone younger than me.
rubble44
/stunned silence
roy hobbs = money
In order of gift/purchase:
#6 Steelers No Name Jersey (It was Bubby)
#83 Louis Lipps
#26 Rod Woodson
#95 Greg Lloyd
#10 Kordell Stewart
#86 Hines Ward Throwback
Ebbets Field Flannels is the place to look up some of the lesser known jerseys.
Let me check:
#12 Joe Namath Alabama jersey
#7 Doug Flutie Buffalo Bills jersey
#23 Troy Vincent Eagles jersey
#88 Eric Lindros Hockey jersey
#12 Randall Cunningham Eagles jersey
#7 Randall Cunningham Vikings jersey
#20 Damon Stoudamire Raptors expansion year jersey from when I was in 7th grade. Sold that shit on ebay.
#7 Kevin Johnson Suns jersey
#69 John Runyan Eagles jersey
#7 Bobby Hoying Eagles jersey
#16 Jake Plummer Cardinals jersey
#53 Bill Romanowski Raiders
I had a Reggie Miller olympic jersey too but I sold it.
Manny Rameriez- Indians Jersey
Penny Hardaway- Magic Jersey
“Sir” “Drunk BJ” Charles Barkley- Phoenix Suns
woot.
How about the following:
Bobby Thigpen – Sox
Jim Harbaugh – Bears
Tim Salmon – Angels
Mark Grace – Cubs
and the topper…….
Tony Mandarich – Packers