Thursday, March 1, 2012

Farewell, Clipper Darrell


CLIPPER DARRELL, also known as Darrell Bailey, is a resident of Lawndale, CA and for the past 15 years he has been arguably the most decorated sports fan for one of the most undecorated sports franchises--the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite the lack of success, support, and overall spirit of Clipper Nation, Darrell has remained loyal to our city's NBA step-child for over a decade and over 400 home games. From his attire, usually a wacky combination of red and blue, to his house, same description, he carries his Clipper faith him him everywhere. He has been more loyal to LA's notorious losing team than most of us, myself included, are to our best teams, like the Los Angeles Lakers. However LA has a tendency to remind us how valuable loyalty can be, and cannot be overnight. Clipper Darrell has recently been told by Clippers management that he must retire his Clipper affiliated name. Why? The Clippers feel that he has been using their name to market himself. Whether there is much of a case to make around this or not is up for debate, but it is a reminder for all of us Angelenos that at the end of the day we do not always get in return what we give to our sports franchises.

--Art Flores


Photo: Clipper Darrell's home
Credit: Darrell Bailey

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