NBA

Cleveland fans donating LeBron gear

LeBron James
Many discarded LeBron jerseys will be donated to the homeless in South Florida.
Share This Story

Updated Jul 20, 2010 7:17 PM ET
     
 

CLEVELAND (AP)

They're taking the jerseys off their backs for LeBron James. Then tossing them away - for a good cause.

Stung by the NBA superstar's decision to leave Cleveland and play for Miami, Cavaliers fans have been unloading their unwanted No. 23 jerseys, T-shirts and other clothing items bearing James' name at locations around the city. Organizers are shipping the discarded James gear to homeless shelters in South Florida.

LeBron to Miami
LeBron and D-Wade on the same team? With Bosh? Very interesting.

''It's like any breakup,'' said Beau Miller, who began the campaign with three friends. ''You want to give all your stuff back.''

For the past week, Cleveland fans have been dropping off their LeBron-related items at Yours Truly Restaurants in Northeast Ohio. Miller said he and his friends wanted to turn a negative situation into a positive and that the response has been ''extraordinary.''

''We wanted something good to come out of this,'' he said. ''We didn't want another 'I hate LeBron campaign.' There's enough of that going around.''

Doug Libelich, manager of the Yours Truly location in Shaker Heights, Ohio, said there has been a steady flow of fans - mostly young ones - ridding themselves of LeBron-related clothing, including the iconic 23 jerseys, which were wildly popular during James' seven seasons with the Cavaliers.

''It's been picking up in the last few days,'' he said. ''All kinds of stuff.''

James' messy separation with Cleveland has caused a negative backlash against the 25-year-old, who announced his decision to leave the Cavs as a free agent during a one-hour TV special on July 8. Following his announcement, some fans burned James' jersey in protest.

While appreciating the pain James caused Cleveland fans, Miller, along with friends Chris Jungjohann, Andrew De Crane and Tim Zeller, saw his departure as an opportunity to help those less fortunate. Along with donating the clothing, the group began breakupwithlebron.com, where they are selling T-shirts with the slogan ''It's Not Us, It's You,'' on the front.

Proceeds from the $15 shirts are going to the Cleveland City Mission.

Tagged: Heat

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

ADD A COMMENT
    PREV PREV   NEXT NEXT    
ADD A COMMENT
    PREV PREV   NEXT NEXT    

Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NBA Videos

Spurs take 2-0 series lead Posted: May 30, 2012
Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker talk after the Spurs Game 2 win over the Thunder.

OKC's rally loses steam in Game 2 Posted: May 30, 2012
Hear from the Thunder after dropping Game 2 to the Spurs by a score of 120-111.

Pop gets a taste of his own medicine Posted: May 30, 2012
Gregg Popovich responds to the Thunder's Hack-A-Splitter tactic.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Gold http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/491688/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491688_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-..
    adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black
    \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/505997/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_505000/ff_505997_xl.jpg&w=100 23.95 \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat
    New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Mavericks/browse/featuredproduct/614631/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_614000/ff_614631_xl.jpg&w=100 34.95 New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat
    Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/617849/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_617000/ff_617849_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome
    Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/692238/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692238_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat

Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft