Most people watch athletes for their skill and talent on the field, court or track. But recently, a new audience has been brought to the light. With this new- found popularity many sports such as basketball and football have delighted fans through their pre-game outfits. Choosing to have a stylish suit or colorful sweat sets have delighted fans and made them more excited for the game ahead. For example, with Travis Kelce recent popularity due to his newly discovered relationship with Taylor Swift many fans have taken notice of his pre-game outfits. A recent sports illustrated article stated that Travis Kelce’s pre-game ‘fits’ have him looking like a “legit rock star” No doubt the enjoyment fans get from watching him get ready for a game makes him more likable to the new fan base he has acquired.
But this certainly isn’t his first rodeo. Travis Kelce has been rocking the fancy pregame ‘fits’ since he first started playing. Kelce said in an ESPN interview that he’s “always been into fashion and finding ways to express yourself.” The football star also just wants to put a smile on someone's face when they see him wearing out-of-the-box stuff because he claims that “hopefully he can put a smile on a face or get someone to make fun of him and put a smile on their face” All in all he sense of style shows how invested he is in his fans and is willing to sacrifice comfort for a smile.
Football isn't the only place we are seeing some style. Basketball stars such as LeBron James and Justin Holiday have been recently getting praise for their pregame attire.
Most players when they get ready to go out on the court have their own routine and rituals to getting ready and staying focused. I believe that consistently wearing pregame outfits that pop or grab attention can be a form of concentration for some players as well as the action of just wearing an outfit you feel and look good in. While the players get many benefits from wearing these outfits the fans get just as excited to see what the players are going to wear. I see it as a way of getting fans hyped or interested before the main event. Like an appetizer before the entree. I know that not only it excites fans of the game but it also excites fans of fashion. Coming from a place where the season finale of Project Runway was my Super Bowl, seeing these athletes show up to games in colorful suits and outfits ready for Fashion Week, makes them seem like people not entirely defined by the sport they play. Knowing that they took time to look nice and choose to dress up puts these athletes in a new light. Personally, it makes me want to watch more of their games and become more passionate about the game they play in general.
The main point of recognizing these athletes isn't just to show their style. The reason is because most fans of these talented individuals only know them on the court or the field but while they have passion for the sport they play there is a human under the uniform. Showing up in these outfits not only shows the fans a different side of themselves but it also shows that men can express themselves and be vulnerable through what they wear. There are many stereotypes when it comes to professional athletes, from how they act to what they say, most of the time they are seen as nothing more than their talent but through these seemingly little details we see the parts of these athletes that aren't displayed on screen. This practice of wearing eccentric pregame outfits is one of the few positive practices in professional sports and it could be one that changes how we see athletes for many years to come.