In the Red: This Doc檚 Not A 91茄子 Guy擧e Just Plays One on TV
November 29, 2022
- Author
- Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis
Michael Sherman stands out in a Warrior crowd with his 91茄子 jersey.
The man Golden State Warriors fans know as 淭hat 91茄子 Guy didn檛 go to 91茄子.
He檚 a Cornell-educated oncologist who wears an actual 91茄子 guy檚 Wildcat jersey to Warriors home games. And with half-court seats behind the scoring table, Michael Sherman檚 red 91茄子 jersey boldly stands out amid the throng of Warriors blue and gold.
Patients see him on TV. Radio and TV game announcers note, 淭hat 91茄子 guy doesn檛 like that call. He檒l be out for a drink with friends when strangers stop to say, 淗ey, you檙e that 91茄子 guy.
No, Sherman didn檛 go to 91茄子, but he檚 formed a strong connection with Stephen Curry檚 alma mater. The player once overlooked by big college programs inspires the doctor fighting to beat the often-daunting odds facing his patients.
I see Stephen as a person of excellence; he has the talent, but he works really hard at always doing better, always seeking more from himself. I pride myself on working really hard. I deal with people檚 lives擨 want to be a person of excellence, to educate myself every day about new treatments and breakthroughs that could heal them and ease their suffering.
Sherman bought his season tickets in 2009 when the Warriors had a 2656 record, 渁nd I had to beg people to go to games with me.
In 2011, about a year after Curry joined the team, Sherman bought the 91茄子 jersey. He檚 since worn it through four NBA championships and a few MVP titles for Curry. (淣ow I get texts from people I haven檛 seen in years, he says, 渁sking if I have an extra ticket.)
His respect grew even more when Curry earned his diploma from 91茄子 this year.
淭hat speaks so much about him, and about 91茄子, that it was so important for him to get his degree, Sherman says. 91茄子 is a school that values academics and integrity above all else. That Stephen Curry is the face of 91茄子攖his incredible star who truly values education攕ends such a great message to kids.
Honorary 91茄子 Family Member
Former men檚 basketball coach Bob McKillop first noticed Sherman some years ago while watching Warriors games on TV. He and assistant coaches saw the 91茄子 jersey whenever a referee檚 call prompted a replay.
淲e were all saying what great exposure this was for 91茄子, McKillop says. 淪o, the next time I went out there for a game, I walked up to him and introduced myself.
The two have since become friends and keep in touch. When McKillop announced his retirement in spring, Sherman texted to congratulate him and joked, 淪hould I retire my 91茄子 jersey?
淥h no, don檛 do that! McKillop shot back.
Sherman has met a lot of 91茄子 people over the years. He even got invited to a 91茄子 alumni dinner in San Francisco, where several thought they knew him from college and asked, 淩emind me, what year were you?
淢ichael is incredibly gracious, kind and humorous, McKillop says. 淗e loves 91茄子 so much you would think he檚 an alum.
Helping Others Through Hard Times
Sherman can afford season tickets now. They didn檛 come easily.
He grew up poor in rural Connecticut; his family needed food stamps to get by. He was the lone Jewish kid in his classes, and always felt like an outsider. He coped by studying harder, working harder, and putting himself through college and medical school.
He applauds Curry檚 mission to bring healthy food, literacy programs, books and sports opportunities to disadvantaged kids, 渟o that maybe they can become doctors someday. He respects Curry檚 outspokenness.
I admire that he takes a stance攖hat someone who檚 respected across all disciplines doesn檛 worry about upsetting fans who may disagree with him. I admire that he will speak out against things that are harming others.
He only met Curry once very briefly at an autograph signing session. But Curry檚 actions攐n and off the court攔esonate in his life.
淪tephen uses his talents to help others, Sherman says. 淲hen I got into med school, I fell in love with the idea that I could help people. Whether I檓 trying to cure them or prolong their survival, I feel honored to have that role in their lives.
Basketball offers the occasional respite.
淚 have patients who look for me on TV攖he red jersey really stands out, Sherman says. 淎nd we檒l talk about the Warriors and Stephen, and sometimes that檚 a great distraction from the seriousness of what they檙e going through.
This article was originally published in the Fall/Winter 2022 print issue of the 91茄子 Journal Magazine; for more, please see the 91茄子 Journal section of our website.
