Even the cable cord cutters among us could not have missed the Sportsmageddon Saturday that occurred this weekend. While the general population was feasting on NBA Game 7, splitting the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight amongst 10 friends, and pretending to know anything about horse jockeys, plenty of the athletic elite were doing the same. They just happened to be doing it in person.
The Kentucky Derby may be known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, but the crowd there can pass hours drinking mint juleps and checking out each other’s wild attire. Our nation’s athletes were no exception, as they pulled out what could have passed as their Easter Sunday best to enjoy the race.
Rob Gronkowski (and Tom Brady, by proxy)
It should not come as a surprise to anyone on earth that Rob Gronkowski showed up to an event in an attention-grabbing outfit. In a plaid suit that is probably a more expensive version of what he wore to college derby parties, Gronkowski also was wearing Max Headroom sunglasses that possibly had the Vineyard Vines pink whale on them or else some other kind of pink blob.
Brady kept it classy with an ascot, but the dark blue paled in comparison to Gronk’s look-at-me-plaid. He was clearly looking ahead to the night’s boxing match as he looked as polished as anyone ever has while entirely failing to put together a proper Derby look.
The rest of the Patriots squad who joined the pair all kept it a lot more festive than Brady and a lot less crazy than Gronk.
Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski
No one does theme dressing better than Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski. While Tara looked gorgeous, no one on heaven or earth should have even tried to compete with Weir’s hat. Just when you thought that a mohawk of Derby-esque roses was everything, you probably spotted the mint julep stashed in the hat and questioned every fashion choice you’ve ever made. I for one will never again be wearing a hat that isn’t adorned with booze.
Teddy Bridgewater
My Derby Attire is Custom Made by Modelle’s Custom Clothiers They are the best ! @MODELLES pic.twitter.com/u2s4W276Kx
— Teddy Bridgewater (@teddyb_h2o) May 3, 2015
Unlike some of the other athletes who stick out like a sore thumb at the Derby, Teddy Bridgewater looked like he was born to sip on bourbon and bet on the ponies. He probably even understands what a superfecta is. Hank Baskett http://gty.im/471992282 At this point, Hank is probably better known for his marriage to the hot blonde in the photo than he is for any kind of football skills. The white pants are so spectacular that we hope he gets a lot more use out of them than the Vikings got out of him. Warren Moon http://gty.im/471988010 Warren Moon continues to show the young kiddos how things should be done. Nick Mangold http://gty.im/471949804 And then there’s Nick Mangold who continues to find that beard to be a good idea year after year. And despite the facial hair, he still rocks the Derby look so much harder than Tom Brady. Nerlens Noel
Standing tall w/ the next governor of Kentucky. #KentuckyDerby2015 pic.twitter.com/rXwIkGgRNH — Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) May 2, 2015
Rounding out the list and absolutely crushing it is Philadelphia 76er Nerlens Noel. In a look that rivals Gronkowski plaid, Noel took it one step further with a lime green bow tie.