Sports Stars and Athletes Hanging at the Kentucky Derby
With the hats, glamour and celebrity all surrounding the event at Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby is one of two days a year American sports fans gather together to get drunk on mint juleps and pretend we all care about horse racing.
The other is the day of the Preakness Stakes, when we speculate about the potential of the first Triple Crown winner since a trio of them in the '70s, the most recent instance being Affirmed in 1978.
The Derby usually brings out a very unconventional mix of stars, both celebrities and athletes alike. This year is expected to be no different. In fact, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady and a couple of his Patriots bros made headlines days ahead of the race with this Facebook post.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
As if that wasn't enough, the boys from New England sure didn't disappoint on race day! Especially super-stud tight end Rob Gronkowski, whose epic plaid suit can probably be seen from space:
"Gronk is going all out with his #KentuckyDerby2015 suit—he should be easy to find http://t.co/nWhOokVAyT pic.twitter.com/paE6SBPB4X
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 2, 2015"
Free-agent wide receiver Wes Welker had one of the most high-profile celebrity outings the Kentucky Derby had ever seen in 2014 when—allegedly on drugs, according to ProFootballTalk—he handed out $100 bills to fans after winning a pretty penny. This year, it looks like he's going for a more low-key day:
".@WesWelker leaving @ChurchillDowns: "No $100 bills today guys" He does stop to sign autograph for this boy @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/dJZxYCcCEo
— Toni Konz (@tkonz) May 2, 2015"
Former Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson and her husband, former NFL wide receiver Hank Baskett, have also been spotted sipping drinks at the event. Below, they are pictured at the Kentucky Oaks event on Friday:
Baskett took a little time away from his wife to pose for a photo with Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola:
Longtime superstar New York Jets center Nick Mangold is on hand for the event, decked out in the finest duds one is likely to find in the wardrobe of an NFL center. His hat could be a little fancier, but it's getting the job done:
"Nick Mangold of the New York Jets gives his #KentuckyDerby pick! https://t.co/vFKfAhTu3T (@nyjets @KentuckyDerby) pic.twitter.com/HXyQ3nxGEb
— Lady and The Track (@LadyAndTheTrack) May 2, 2015"
Former Olympic figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir have been all over the event grounds together throughout the last few days. NBC's dynamic duo has been working together to cover events for the network since their successful pairing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi:
Obviously, they've been keeping busy:
Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood is yet another NFL player who made it to the Kentucky Derby this year. Though not pictured, Wood is accompanied by his very pregnant and glowing wife, Leslie:
"Buffalo Bills player Eric Wood #KentuckyDerby pic.twitter.com/wi3Ogz8aRT
— Cheyene Miller (@CheyeneMiller19) May 2, 2015"
Former University of Louisville Cardinal Luke Hancock is at Churchill Downs, looking handsome as ever and dressed to the nines. He's currently playing ball overseas for the Panionios of the Greek Basket League:
"Former #UofL basketball player Luke Hancock with MYfm's @VickiVRogers. pic.twitter.com/T20tt6EFnb
— MyDerbyLove (@myderbylove) May 2, 2015"
Here are Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng and his date getting the star treatment at the Grey Goose Lounge ahead of the races:
University of Kentucky hoops players Andrew and Aaron Harrison are definitely in the running for the best-dressed men of the event:
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith made a red-carpet appearance on Saturday, although he doesn’t look particularly thrilled to be there. Maybe he's just not very photogenic:
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker is a sight to behold in purple on the red carpet...so...much...purple. He and his date obviously coordinated:
Another Kentucky hoops star leaving early for the NBA, Devin Booker, is also in attendance this year:
Keep checking back for updates as the celebrities arrive!
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
