After an Indiana Pacers fan braved the chaos in New York City, its star Tyrese Haliburton is making sure he gets taken of during the Eastern Conference finals.
In the hours after the New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of their second round series to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, a man wearing a Haliburton jersey was seen roaming the streets around Madison Square Garden as Knicks fans flooded the area. The heavily pro-Knicks crowd didn’t like seeing someone wear the jersey of not only a heated rival, but of someone who New York will face in the next round.
The video went viral on social media, and former Colts punter Indiana sports mega-fan and Pat McAfee wanted to find out who the Pacers fan was. He found him, and had him join the popular ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’
The Pacers fan is Hans Perez, a New York firefighter who told McAfee he’s been a die-hard Pacers since he was a kid. He admitted he got too close to the frenzy happening in the streets, and at one point was looking for police.
‘I don’t know if I can go into the mob, but I’m going to go close by and feel the energy, get ready for the series,’ Perez said about his idea to go out. ‘It started getting a little more handsy. Dudes wanted the jersey. I started to get a little nervous.’
McAfee wasn’t the only one to see the brave effort from Perez. Haliburton saw the video and joined the show to give Perez a special gift.
‘I wanna personally bring you and a plus one out here to come to Game 4, here in Indiana,’ Haliburton said. ‘Everybody in our organization wants to make sure that you’re taken care of. The whole team’s excited to meet you.’
Perez was hyped about the invitation, and he now has the chance to see his favorite team play as it tries to reach its first NBA Finals in 25 years. Guess the brave action turned out to have some benefit.