Duke Jersey

1 brave thing: Duke Jersey in Chapel Hill

Wearing a jersey may not seem like a brave act but it was tonight and it produced some great conversations. Amy and I were invited to go to a Duke basketball game tonight with some dear friends. Afterwards we enjoyed dinner together in downtown Chapel Hill home to the rival, UNC Tar Heels. I decided to enter the restaurant with my Duke jersey on.

Why it matters. I just wanted to see what would happen. It was a fun brave experiment that I didn’t have to do.

“I’ve never said this before but youare most friendly Duke fan.” Our server Gave me this quote after We had paid for our meal. It was part joke but also I took it as a real compliment. How fun is it to be seen one way but then win someone over when they “get to know you.”

“That is the 3rd most offensive shirt you could have worn.” This was another patron at the restaurant. We spoke for a bit and I was eager to hear his thoughts on what could be more offensive:) He was kind hearted as well and it was another great icebreaker with a stranger.

Disclaimer. I grew up in Virginia by Va Tech but my middle school and high basketball program was modeled off of Duke and my Coach rooted for Duke so I started to as well. I’m also a huge Michael Jordan fan who went to UNC and the Dean Smith stories of how he loved his players and community have won me over as well. Alas I still have a Duke JJ Redick jersey because that team and player reminds me of my middle school and high school days.