What is the origin of the tattoo culture of the NBA?

[Mahaloth]

I assume it is part of the culture, as a huge amount of players in the NBA have a ton of tattoos. I noticed this years ago, but I can not remember when it really began to become the norm.

You can see some of them here.

Was it Allen Iverson?

By the way, I stopped following NBA around 1998 or so and it didn't seem so bad(at least, in my memory). By the time the Pistons won the championship in 2003, it seemed to be the norm. Am I wrong on the timing? Am I misremembering 1998?

[Omniscient]

I don't think the NBA is doing anything other than reflecting society as a whole. Tattoos have become an epidemic, and among men who spend a lot of time in the gym with sleeveless shirts they are practically required.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Omniscient

I don't think the NBA is doing anything other than reflecting society as a whole.

I'd say there is a tattoo culture among athletes. It does reflect that they're much more common now, but NBA players are certainly more tattooed than the average U.S. male. You're probably right that guys who work out a lot are closer to the NBA standard.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by Marley23

I'd say there is a tattoo culture among athletes. It does reflect that they're much more common now, but NBA players are certainly more tattooed than the average U.S. male. You're probably right that guys who work out a lot are closer to the NBA standard.

Yeah, while I think it is true that the increase in tattoos is noticeable within the general population, it is way higher in the NBA. I mean, even 30 Rock mentioned it a few months ago.

Is it as bad in other pro sports? I only watch Tennis and Hockey. In hockey, you can not see their arms(though I rather doubt it is as extreme as the NBA). In tennis, it is more or less nonexistent. I mean, one tattoo is something, but not a ton.

[Invisible Chimp]

I believe the NFL is just as tattooed as the NBA, but you can't tell because they cover up more in the NFL.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by Invisible Chimp

I believe the NFL is just as tattooed as the NBA, but you can't tell because they cover up more in the NFL.

I see. So I wonder what has caused the increase in certain athletes?

[Jack Batty]

Allen Iverson was scribbling in his coloring books when Dennis Rodman was getting tattoos ... and dying his hair like a leopard while he was at it.

[Happy Scrappy Hero Pup]

"Don't worry baby... in a minute it's gonna say '"Adidas.'"

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by Jack Batty

Allen Iverson was scribbling in his coloring books when Dennis Rodman was getting tattoos ... and dying his hair like a leopard while he was at it.

Iverson started playing around the time Rodman was doing all that. I don't have any idea what you are talking about.

[Jack Batty]

Rodman last appeared in the NBA in 2000, when he was 35. He entered the league when AI was 11. Iverson, who's 35 now, started with the Sixers in '96. They're hardly contemporaries. Rodman is 14 years older than Iverson.

Regardless ... calm down. Try not to sprain a smiley.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Jack Batty

Rodman last appeared in the NBA in 2000, when he was 35. He entered the league when AI was 11. Iverson, who's 35 now, started with the Sixers in '96. They're hardly contemporaries. Rodman is 14 years older than Iverson.

He was saying Rodman started getting all the tattoos around the same time Iverson did. Wikipedia says he started doing the ink and the piercings in '93 after a suicide attempt. So that puts him a few years ahead of Iverson, but not a lot.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by Marley23

He was saying Rodman started getting all the tattoos around the same time Iverson did. Wikipedia says he started doing the ink and the piercings in '93 after a suicide attempt. So that puts him a few years ahead of Iverson, but not a lot.

Yep. Here are some more smileys.