There are few better ways to show your fandom than with an awesome throwback jersey. And while there are plenty of sports legends who have come through Boston, one player’s threads still reign supreme.
Mitchell & Ness, a clothing company that specializes in throwback apparel, released its annual data of the top-selling throwback sports jerseys by state for 2015. Not surprisingly, Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Larry Bird’s No. 33 jersey was a hit in New England.
By capturing Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and his home state of Indiana, Bird overtook Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant for the most states won. Bryant’s jersey was a best-seller in seven states in 2014 compared to Bird’s three, but Kobe took home just four states to Bird’s five in 2015.
Not every New England state was loyal to Larry Legend, though. Vermont’s best-seller was New York Knicks big man Patrick Ewing, while Maine went off the grid with the random choice of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent.
Bird was the only Boston athlete to make the list, and while most states stayed true to their geographical roots with their favorite throwbacks, there were a few outliers. (Brian Dawkins in Utah? Allen Iverson in Alabama?)
Click to check out Mitchell & Ness’ full retro jersey map >>
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
