There are hundreds of stories about NBA stars daily, the players that make the league what it is are celebrities, after all. These stories have much to do with their futures with their teams and the league. Many analyze their performances, their statistics, and their potential. Another aspect is their lives off the court, which also generates a lot of interest among fans. But every once in a while, there is a bizarre story that is a bit tough to believe.
This isn’t a serious or controversial story, just a bit of a wild one. Athletic trainer Damon Goddard spoke to Bloomberg and revealed quite a gross fact about an anonymous NBA player. A player that he had worked with plays every game with the same pair of socks that simply never get washed.
“Obsession can often tip over into superstition, especially when trying to replicate optimal competitive conditions. Goddard trains an NBA player who wears the same socks—always inside out—for every game. ‘He’s never washed them. Ever. They’re atrocious.’
Athletes are notoriously superstitious, they try to do everything they can to replicate good performances. However, this almost crosses the line a little bit. It is hard to imagine that using the same socks for rigorous and sweaty activity repeatedly isn’t a hygiene hazard.
Fans on social media usually have a lot of time on their hands too, and when this story went on Reddit, many tried to identify who the player in question was. This led to some sleuthing. Goddard is based out of Dallas, and that, coupled with some picture searches, led to fans suspecting former Maverick Kristaps Porzingis.
Of course, this doesn’t mean KP is the player in question, it’s all mere speculation. But the story provides some insight into the minds of the world’s best athletes. Superstition is fine, it sometimes helps players get in the zone. And while this particular one is hard to understand, it just goes to show the pressure that NBA athletes carry throughout their everyday lives.
