Real Men Also Crochet
Apropos of my review of Real Men Knit, check out ESPN Gameday’s profile of Boise State football’s Ian Johnson:
What a refreshing, positive gender image. This guy is the real deal. He’s got talent and heart both on the field and with his hooks, and he’s equally comfortable with himself for exercising each skill.
NCAA rules prohibit him from advertising, but he can sell his beanies to anyone who contacts him via word of mouth. Anyone have his contact information?
UPDATE: A couple people wrote to let me know that the NCAA has stepped in to prohibit Johnson from selling any of his crocheted goods at all. Check out this very disheartening snip from this article:
And just in case the young man’s spirits weren’t low enough, the NCAA decided to stop in and take away his main source of income, which happens to be crocheting hats and scarves. And not only can he not make any money from them, he can’t give them to charity, either. The NCAA has a star running back on their hands who is able to crochet, and willing to give hats and scarves to charities, and they’ve stepped in to stop the practice. I think they should have commissioned him to crochet Boise State’s uniforms for next year.
Gayle Griffin, 
Brian Sawyer 
Bezzie 10:56 am on January 3, 2007 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’ll bet if you went to BSU’s website you could search the student directory and get his email.
Knit.1 Magazine: 1[knit.1]der Blog 2:22 pm on January 3, 2007 Permalink | Log in to Reply
[…] tried desperately to profile him for the Sports Issue but were rebuffed. Sniff. Still, the video’s well worth a […]
The Manly Art of Knitting « Brian Sawyer 5:04 pm on March 6, 2007 Permalink | Log in to Reply
[…] Any more of this, and people just might call it a movement. (See also Real Men Also Crochet.) […]
Corinne 1:01 pm on May 3, 2007 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I found an article on his crocheting that provides an E-mail that he can be contacted at in order to purchase hats.
the site:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/360/story/58188.html
the e-mail:
bigez05@hotmail.com
I hope you can get ahold of him!
Wendy G. 2:35 am on May 23, 2007 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think it’s great that he crochet’s….. for pleasure, for income, and for charity. I think it’s wrong of the NCAA saying that he can’t sell the items he makes, even by word of mouth. Worse yet, that he can’t even donate what he makes to chairty. Why can’t he at least donate what he makes to chairty ? What in the world is wrong with that ? He should be able to do whatever he wants to do with it. What’s the differance between crocheting and selling the items made from working some place for a few hours each day, weekend what have you and being paid minimum wage ? Heck, most folk don’t even pay minimum wage for the crocheted items that we make. I mean come on…. a hat could take 2-3 hours depending on how complicated it is, hour large it is, if it’s a double sided roll brim hat, etc. Are they going to pay you a minimum of $15-$20 for a hat ? That’s not even what you should really charge… you’re suppose to charge what it cost for materials X 4. That would equate to $20-$25 (minimum) for the roll brim (it’s a double sided/reversible hat) hat I’m talking about… most folks aren’t going to pay that, now are they ? Anyhow…. Like I said… I think it’s great that he crochets, and that it’s wrong that the NCAA has put restrictions on him and his lively hood and chairty work like this.
TOM ODANIELS 12:16 am on September 21, 2007 Permalink | Log in to Reply
im a closet crocheter, and i havent even been picking up a hook or anything but i cheer on privately those who deem the hook a necessary item my mom crochets like a lot more than the average bear, and im sure not knocking that…its just that i dont want to wear it especially…the crocheted booties are ok, just not hats or anything like that…i dont give a rats patootie who crocheted the damn thing but i give support because its an art form and im all for art i draw and paint when i can get the materials…so thanks for listening to me…sorry about the hats just cant stand them.
tom odaniels
Debbie 9:46 am on January 5, 2008 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Not only did they stop him from selling what he makes, but they have prohibited him from donating his work to charity.
I’d give my knitting needles to guess that the powers that be are only concerned with the non-macho image he is projecting to the public, forgetting that it’s a POSITIVE image.
Just what I’ve always said, American Football should be banned.
Jordan 6:08 pm on May 31, 2008 Permalink | Log in to Reply
i don’t understand why they did this
Jason Komar 4:35 pm on December 29, 2008 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I am thinking about taking up crocheting because I heard that it is a good way to relax. I love the fact that Ian is making beanies for everyone plus the fact that he can whip one out in 45 minutes is great.
Linda 12:16 pm on January 1, 2009 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Ok I admit I don’t much care for football. My son in law loves it to extreams.
But after watching this video, I do like this guy a lot.
Good for you Ian and god bless your mother.
Linda
http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com
Is it ok for guys to learn how to sew, and crochet, and cook? | 6:56 pm on August 24, 2009 Permalink | Log in to Reply
[…] Check this video out: https://briansawyer.net/2007/01/03/real-men-also-crochet/ […]
Gayle Griffin 1:50 pm on June 21, 2010 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I need someone to copy a christmas stocking pattern and make several for my grandchildren