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Let Your Soul Glo: The 10 Best Jheri Curls in Sports History

Chad Waylon Pouncy

Correspondent Written on September 25, 2009

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1989-1990: Defensive back Deion Sanders of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons won the game 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Allen Steele /Allsport

Allen Steele/Getty Images

Get out the activator and let your "Soul-Glo."

From Michael Jackson to Ice Cube, the Jheri Curl played an important role in pop-culture dating back to the '70s on into '90s. It was invented by and named after hair innovator Jheri Redding.

Shortly after the spitball was banned in baseball, Dock Ellis resorted to wearing curlers before game and unleashed his Jheri proudly during his days with the Kansas City Royals. He would drip activator on the ball for that extra touch he was missing.

The shiny spiral look started to give way to the high-top fade and has slipped into obscurity. During the Red Sox' World Series run, the Curl made a triumphant return, only to disappear again shortly there after.

Here's to hoping for a revival of the greatest hairdo of all time.

Andre Dawson

Andre "the Hawk" Dawson is one of only three players to ever hit 400 home runs and steal 300 bases (also Willie Mays and Barry Bonds), but the only player to do it with a Jheri Curl.

Deion Sanders

"Neon" Deion Sanders aka "Prime Time" has done it all.

Played in the World Series with the Braves.

Won the Super Bowl with both the Cowboys and the 'Niners.

Recorded a hit song, "Must Be the Money".

Got arrested for fishing at an airport.

Worked as a host for NFL GameDay.

Rocked a Jheri Curl in two sports.

AC Green

AC Green played more consecutive games than any other player in the NBA or the ABA. He played alongside Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on a Lakers squad that won back-to-back NBA titles.

And he did it all sporting a sweet Jheri Curl.

Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson stole bases.

Rickey Henderson stole more bases than anyone in a single season.

Rickey Henderson stole more bases than anyone in a career.

Rickey Henderson stole more than bases; he stole hearts with his Jheri Curl.

Tony Gwynn

Tony Gwynn was one of the most consistent hitters and fielders in MLB history. Recently, Gwynn coached pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg at San Diego State.

I bet he never taught Strasburg that his secret to success was a consistent Jheri Curl.

Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson was one of the greatest NFL running backs of all-time.

In addition to playing while wearing shades/goggles, he had a pretty mean Jheri Curl.

Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez led the 2004 World Series win after an 86-year drought.

He had a little help from Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, a Dominican midget, and a slick Jheri Curl.

Ramon Martinez

Pedro's older brother Ramon Martinez most likely taught him how to pitch and how to style his Jheri Curl.

Ickey Woods

Ickey Woods carried the Bengals to a Super Bowl, invented a new celebration dance craze, the Ickey Shuffle, and sported a much more serious Jheri Curl.

Michael Cage

Michael Cage never made much impact in the NBA, but he did cause quite a sti with the ladies thanks to his chic Jheri Curl.

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written on September 25, 2009 Humor

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