UNLV Runnin' Rebels

Larry Johnson remembers UNLV, becoming Grandmama

Published Apr. 21, 2015 2:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Eddie Maisonet

Growing up as a kid, Larry Johnson was one of the coolest people on the planet.

In my pee-brain mind, there was nothing like Larry Johnson. NCAA champion on the UNLV Running Rebels in 1990. The star player on the expansion franchise Charlotte Hornets. (with those dope uniforms). THAT GOLD TOOTH. Cool initials. Arguably the best player on NBA Jam. The possible second coming of Charles Barkley in the flesh. There was nothing LJ could do wrong — even by adopting the nickname Grandmama.

Courtesy of VICE Sports, Larry Johnson reflected on two of his most memorable moments in the early 1990s: his time in Las Vegas, and how one of the most memorable commercial campaigns of all time from Converse ended with wearing a dress and being referred to as someone’s grandmother.

[click here to see the video]

Before we get to life in Las Vegas, one thing I have to ask … is there any circumstance in the world that in 2015 we could get a superstar athlete to sign onto a similar campaign?

Let’s watch Larry Johnson reflect on his life and times in Las Vegas while I think of a possible answer.

My best guesses are Ron Artest, Dennis Rodman, Ricky Williams. They all probably would’ve done it.

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