The Miami Hurricanes football fan who wears a full uniform to every home game goes viral at least once a year. It happened during Week 3 against Bethune Cookman this season.
Shelton Douthett is his name, but he is known as ‘Da 12th Man‘ to many.
His story is touching. Douthett wears the kit, including a helmet and shoulder pads, for his late brother.
Douthett’s brother was in the hospital with pneumonia. He told Shelton that it would be a fun idea to wear a full jersey and pads for a game when he got better.
Unfortunately, he never got better and passed away soon after. To honor him, Douthett did what his brother could not. He wore a full uniform to the game and kept the tradition in his memory.
Miami has a lot of different uniform variations, but Douthett always makes sure that he matches the team as best he can. This weekend posed a challenge.
The Hurricanes will wear their amazing new ‘Neon Lights’ uniforms (which Adidas shockingly didn’t screw up) against Georgia Tech. Douthett would not have been able to replicate the on-field uniform choice.
However, head coach Mario Cristobal and Miami football stepped up in a big way. They invited Douthett to practice earlier this week and got him fitted with a new jersey and a new helmet for the upcoming game. His 12th man uniform will match the team on the field!
It was a really cool gesture that left Douthett with a huge smile on his face. He was visibly emotional as Cristobal and the equipment staff swagged him out.
Moments like this are what make college football, and sports in general, so special. Douthett will be in the stands rocking a ‘Neon Nights’ uniform while the ‘Canes take the field with his brother watching over them. It is a small but powerful gesture that goes a really long way.