In the Tank for the Terps

Raiders Star Jordan Is No. 1 Fan of U-Md. Women's Basketball

Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan remembers the moment he first fell in love with women's basketball. It was 1994. He was watching television, flipping channels, when he came across the NCAA tournament championship game between Louisiana Tech and North Carolina.

"I watched [the Tar Heels'] Charlotte Smith hit the game-winner," Jordan said. "Just sitting there, watching that game and how good it was, I said, 'Wow.' "

From then on, he was hooked, and his passion for the game is channeled most directly in support of his alma mater. The New York Knicks have Spike Lee. The Los Angeles Lakers have Jack Nicholson. And the Maryland women's basketball team has LaMont Jordan.

Once the NFL season ends, Jordan, who played football at Maryland from 1997 to 2000, attends all the Terrapins' home games -- and several on the road -- cheering from his courtside seat. Such a physically imposing man leaping to his feet with unabashed glee is quite conspicuous amid the typical Comcast Center women's basketball crowd of what Athletics Director Debbie Yow calls "dads and daughters."

"Just to know that guys care about our sport and respect our sport, it means a lot to us," Maryland guard Shay Doron said. "He's like the biggest cheerleader. You always see him cheering, and that really helps us in games. I mean, he's a great person. Forget all he does for us. He's a great person, and we love having him around."

Jordan is not related to anyone associated with the team, nor is he romantically involved with any players. He became a full-fledged women's hoops junkie long before he arrived at Maryland. When he was a student at Suitland High School, the girls' basketball team needed a clock operator for a game, and Jordan volunteered.

"We won on a last-second shot, which could or could not be credited to me," he said slyly.

Jordan went from slow-fingered clock operator to team manager, beginning a long association with women's basketball that didn't end when he became a standout college running back. His junior year at Maryland, he drove to Greensboro, N.C., for the first of many ACC women's tournaments he would attend. When he is at the event, Jordan watches all the ACC teams, not just the Terrapins.

"I used to like watching [former North Carolina standout] Nikki Teasley. Oh man, she was awesome to watch," Jordan said. "Then as you come to the games, you start to see other teams. All of a sudden, you start saying, 'Hey, this player can play, that player can play.' Even though my team wasn't going to the NCAA tournament, I was still cheering for the ACC schools. Now, I wasn't rooting for them the way I was for my girls, but still."

His support for the Maryland program goes beyond clapping his hands and shouting encouragement from the sideline every time Doron takes a charge or Crystal Langhorne makes a layup.

Jordan gave the Terrapins a shout-out during player introductions on "Monday Night Football," an unprecedented and enormous publicity boost for a women's basketball team. His speeches at the ACC tournament have motivated and inspired the players, helping them end their losing streak to Duke last year. And his generosity has provided financial assistance for the program. Jordan donated $25,000 to the Maryland women's basketball program last year, and he plans to give more money in the future.

Some may wonder why an NFL player would spend his free time watching women's basketball. Most people assume it is because he is involved romantically with one of the players.