3 minSports
Jalen Brunson Says He Is Afraid to Open Bag Holding His Unwashed NBA Championship Hat
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson said on his podcast that his championship hat remains sealed in a bag because it smells of champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer and tequila, and he is afraid to open it.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson says he has not yet washed the hat he wore while celebrating the team's NBA championship, and he is avoiding the bag where it has been sitting because of the smell inside. Brunson made the admission on a recent episode of his podcast, «Roommates Show,» which he hosts with teammate Josh Hart.
«Mine is still not washed; it's in the bag, and I'm afraid to open it,» Brunson said. «It smells terrible: Champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer, tequila.» The Knicks won their first NBA title in decades in June, and the celebration that followed left the hat carrying the residue of a long night of partying.
The confession turns a piece of championship memorabilia into something closer to a science experiment. A hat sealed in a bag while still damp with sweat and spilled drinks can develop mold, mildew or other growth, especially if it is stored in a warm or humid place. Brunson's description suggests the hat has had plenty of material to work with.
Brunson did not say when or how he plans to deal with the hat, and he offered no details about where the bag is being kept. The Knicks have not commented on the state of the championship gear. For now, the hat remains packed away, a keepsake that its owner is not eager to inspect.
The admission fits the loose, conversational tone of «Roommates Show,» where Brunson and Hart regularly discuss life around the team. It also adds a small, human detail to a championship run that has otherwise been defined by Brunson's play on the court. The Knicks guard has become the face of the franchise, and his willingness to share an unglamorous moment has given fans a glimpse of the celebration's aftermath.
Championship hats are typically handed out on the court immediately after the final game, when players are still sweating and champagne is already flying. They are often kept as mementos, but they are rarely washed before being put away. Brunson's experience is a reminder that the souvenirs of a title run can carry more than sentimental value.
Whether the hat can be saved is an open question. Washing a hat with that much buildup may require careful handling to avoid damaging it, and the longer it stays sealed, the more likely it is to develop permanent stains or odors. Brunson's teammates, including Hart, have not publicly offered to help with the cleanup.
For Knicks fans, the story is a lighthearted footnote to a season that ended with a long-awaited title. For Brunson, it is a small problem that comes with success, and one he seems content to leave sealed in a bag for now.
7
