Everyone has their own weird phobias, but Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s might take the cake.
While some people are scared of insects, sharks or heights, the legendary NASCAR driver can’t stand to be around … metal jewelry?
That’s right.
Earnhardt explained his odd phobia in the latest episode of his “Dale Jr. Download” podcast, and he’s certainly not joking around.
“(My wife) Amy thought that I was making it up and that there’s no such thing as a jewelry phobia,” Earnhardt said. “But there is a word. It’s one of them long, crazy words, but it’s real. There’s people that have it.
“I don’t like wearing it, and I don’t like being close to it.”
In fact, Earnhardt has such serious kosmemophobia (that’s the long, crazy word) that he and his wife Amy have a deal with a company that makes silicone rings, which Earnhardt uses as his wedding band.
“The reason why that fits in our brand is because we’re married, but I also have a jewelry phobia and don’t want to wear metal rings,” Earnhardt said. “My wedding ring is actually a wooden ring. I don’t want to wear that too much because it could get scratched or broken, and so I wear QALO rings, which are like a rubber composite sort of material, and they’re very comfortable.
“I’ve been wearing their product for a good damn reason because my jewelry phobia is real.”
He also joked that he wouldn’t even be able to be around Mr. T, who is known for the plethora of gold necklaces he wears.
“I would be almost nauseous next to him,” Earnhardt said.
There you have it.
Some people can drive at breakneck speeds without issue, but be completely petrified at the thought of wearing or being around a metal ring. At least it didn’t keep him from tying the knot, although he’s admitted it did cause a bit of a hold-up with his engagement.
