Written By Frankie Red, Human Interests Staff Writer
This past Monday September 26, The Miami Heat hosted Media Day at the FTX Arena where they invited over 20 local Media outlets to come out and speak with The Team Roster about their hopes for the upcoming season, give a chance for the players to connect with mass audiences across diverse platforms, as well as create content for both the league and athlete fans. The day was filled with non-stop action and one of our very own Gazette writers Press Room questions has even gone viral concerning Jimmy Butler new locs hair-do that has the internet in a frenzy.
Now there is not denying the amount of nerves I was feeling leading up to my question. I knew I didn’t have much to ask or contribute regarding sports, as I have not been in the loop of the NBA for a few seasons now. But I still wanted to ask a question, just not one that can potentially through off the entire synergy of the Press Conference.
Though I did not have much context as to what exactly I was going to contribute to the Press Conference or present conversation regarding the upcoming season, I still wanted to leave my mark and let my presence be known as the smallest fish in the big pond. This was my very FIRST Press Conference in my career as a Journalist, so it was imperative I not only stood-out but also that I added value to the conversation. So I did what I do best— add some charm and ask a Human Interest question, about something completely unrelated to the game of basketball— Jimmy Butler’s new hair style.
Once it was my turn to ask a question, I opened by saying, “Well Jimmy, as an athlete with BIG HAIR myself…” creating a relatable, safe-space for him to open up and be slightly vulnerable. I continued to ask, “..I know how difficult it can be to have so much hair while being an athlete. How do you think your new hair weight is going to effect your performance on the court and what has it done for you and your brand off the court?”
After a slight chuckle and nod of discernment, Jimmy had a quick rebuttal “I don’t have on any extensions, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” To which created a roar of laughter in the Press Room, seeing as though we all know Butler clearly added some hair to his own— as part of the style. He actually shared his hair journey with his followers on Instagram back in July. Revealing a start-finish recap video showing the process of how he made them longer.
Immediately following my question to Jimmy Butler regarding his hair, News headlines surfaced all over the internet. Sweeping social media platforms by storm with Butler’s sound bite regarding his hair and his plans for keeping it or not for the remainder of the season.
“I don’t have any extensions,” Butler said. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m trying out a lot of new looks Yall like my BabyFace Assassin Look? Its kind of cute isn’t it? I really don’t know. I ain’t even thought about it. I’m just messing with stuff to make the internet mad. That was my goal this summer and it worked,” he replied to me as the crowd of media filled the room with laughter and created a fun-loving environment.
His response was immediately reported by The Bleacher Report and Baller Alert causing it to go Viral and shared to over 30 Major news outlets nationwide including ESPN, NBAtv, Sports Illustrated, ESPNonNBA, 5 Reasons Sports, Miami Heat media, Local 10, CBS 4, amongst other local news station outlets. Currently, if you search #JimmyButler, you will find an extensive amount of clips, memes, and quotable content from this very moment and question I asked him.
Taylor Rooks of The Bleacher Report even continued the conversation on NBA Tv. Giving Butler the chance to further elaborate on his decision on whether or not he will be keeping the locs on the court for the upcoming season. During this later interview following the Press Conference, he actually revealed he will not be sporting the new look. Rooks Tweeted:
“Just Spoke to Jimmy Butler. He said he will NOT be seeing the locs in the regular season. Had a good run.”
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/
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