username: aingefan
🏀
Danny Ainge.
Brigham Young University Hall of Fame.
John R. Wooden Award for Outstanding College Basketball Player in the US.
Earned two NBA Championship rings while playing for the Boston Celtics.
Number 22 at BYU.
Number 44 at Boston.
Jason is a Danny Ainge superfan.
I mean, he really is.
The thin but bursting scrapbook devoted to Danny might give that message.
Or perhaps the March 17th birthday party Jason would throw in his honor sheds more light on the story.
Jason loves Danny Ainge.
And in his unique ability to persuade, he rallied his family members and friends to love Danny, too.
The Boston Celtics became Jason’s favorite professional basketball team during high school.
Danny’s number became the favorite number.
He and his friends pointed out 44s. They noticed them. They referenced them. They made up the phrase “44ever.”
And thirty years later, I still receive texts from his friends and family with random 44s in them. Their hotel room number. The customer number on their receipt. Their golf cart number. The time on their phone that reads 4:44.
Jason.
Still dispensing his influence in our lives in the way that we are sure to recognize. The 44s. The shared memories. The representation of loyalty.
The representation of Jason. The superfan.
44ever.
I’ve never had a personalized license plate. Jason always did.
The BYU logo. Then: Cougrs or Cougs.
I got my own a month after he passed away.
The BYU logo. Then: 44EVR
Recently, Jason’s friend Dave was approached by their hometown news station.
This story was aired on May 17, one week before the year anniversary of his passing.
Jason often recounted the experience in his speeches to various groups. Because of the kindness it demonstrates.I’ve heard this story a hundred times.
But I have to say thank you to Dave, for being a true friend 44ever, and telling it one last time.✊🏻💙
