 Over the past fifteen years, tattoos, either as a fashion accessory or a way of life, we can't really know for sure, have enjoyed great success among sports personalities (just think of the winning Italian football team at the 2006 World Cup, with its tattooed stars such as Cannavaro and Materazzi) and among celebrities in general. It all began in the United States, and especially in American basketball, where the African-American players in particular display distinctive designs on their skin. Leading the way was Dennis Rodman, the eclectic early ‘90s player, famous not only among basketball fans thanks to his turbulent love affair with Madonna, followed by dozens more players. The most representative of them, also and especially on a social and street culture level is undoubtedly Allen Iverson, better known as «The Answer». Born in Hampton, Virginia, right from high school Iverson demonstrated a huge talent for both American football and basketball, and was equally skilled at getting himself into trouble. He was literally saved from the dangers of the street by John Thompson, the coach at Georgetown University, where Iverson donned the Hoyas team shirt and began to thrill audiences, becoming the first player picked in the 1996 NBA Draft and going on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.
And s o the legend began.
Iverson, the man
At 1.83 metres tall, he has a slender physique yet is determined and dynamic. Iverson never takes a step backwards, not even when his team-mates try to hold him back. He has always fought arrogantly against the big hard men of the NBA, who are much bigger and taller than him. He comes from the ghetto and The Answer has never been afraid of anyone. Allen made everyone fall in love with him in the enamoured City of Brotherly Love. His fast-as-lightning moves, his crossover (hesitant crossover dribbling that has become his trademark), his highly emotional charge and his enormous heart captured the soul of Philadelphia.
«Tupac Shakur with a jump shot» is just one of the many definitions that have been used to describe Allen Iverson, comparing him to the hip hop poet who died young (killed by a gun shot wound in Las Vegas in September 1996, at the age of 25). His was a life on the knife-edge yet he had an artistic and poetic side, which ran deeper than the semi-gangster attitude he displayed. Tupac had a great soul and Iverson has a great soul, one that goes beyond the immense talent for basketball that The Answer has. Iverson is (especially now) an undeniable icon for young Americans (not only African-Americans); even if they are not into basketball they know who Allen Iverson is. Iverson is, and has been, ever since he arrived in the NBA, a lifestyle.
Life through tattoos
His tattoos are one of the most classic expressions of the African-American street kid, names in memory of dead friends, many of whom were killed in gang fights, and phrases that indicate how hard his life was in the ghetto and the strength you need to survive there. In fact his most famous tattoo, on his left bicep, states «Only the strong survive».
Iverson is now 32 years old (he was born on 7 June 1975) and has recently changed team (before which he had only ever worn the Philadelphia 76ers strip). Just before Christmas he moved to the Denver Nuggets, a team and especially a city that does not really suit The Answer's urban, fighting spirit and mentality. But he is still very much a living legend to young Americans, he will always be The Answer, for everybody, especially the people on the street.
Only the strong survive
His best-known tattoo is the message "Only the strong survive" written on his left bicep. As for the others, Iverson tells us: «I got CRU THIK in four places -that's my crew, that's what we call ourselves, me and the guys I grew up with, the guys I'm loyal to. I got my kids' names, Tiaura and Deuce, ...and my wife's name Tawanna.»
Tattoo censorship
After he found out that the American magazine NBA's Hoop had airbrushed all his tattoos from a cover photo, Iverson commented: «Who gives them the authority to remake me? ...It's an act of freedom and a form of self expression». Fortunately, Sports Illustrated does not fear Iverson's tattoos and showed him on their cover just as he is in real life.
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