In the Tank for the Terps

"I watched [the Tar Heels'] Charlotte Smith hit the game-winner," says Lamont Jordan, describing when he fell in love with women's basketball. "Just sitting there, watching that game and how good it was, I said, 'Wow.' " (Preston Keres - The Post)

"A lot of people say, 'Oh, he does this because he's dating somebody on the team,' " Jordan said. "I tell people, 'Whatever.' A lot of people allow what other people are saying to discourage them from coming to watch the girls. It doesn't bother me. I'm like, 'Hey, this is my team.' This is what I like to do, and I'm not going to stop what I like to do just because other people say it's not the norm."

So why does Jordan watch women's basketball?

"You know what it is? The girls go out and they play, and they play hard," he said. "A lot of people say that it's boring to watch. I'm like: 'You know what? That's because it's not on ESPN. There's not a lot of money involved. You're not going to have dunks.' I told people, 'Find a team that you like.' With women's basketball, you have to have a team that you like and that you follow."

Jordan clearly has found a team that he likes, and they like him right back. He has become a big brother to the players, who view him with a mix of awe and admiration. The relationship the players have with Jordan is perhaps a window on where women's basketball fits on the sports landscape. They seem truly amazed that an NFL player can be their fan.

"It means so much because he's famous," Langhorne said. "To pay attention to us and to be such a dedicated fan, it really means a lot. He could be doing so many other things with his time. For him to always come and support us is really great. My freshman year, he had so much confidence in us. He just always believed in us. He's really our number one fan."

For all the time, effort and money he has put into Maryland women's basketball, Jordan gets as much out of it as he gives.

"It's the only time I'm allowed to be a fan," he said. "I take full advantage of it. I like sitting down there, screaming and yelling at the refs. I like to do things like that. This is my outlet. This is my time to get away from what I do, get away from professional sports and just be a fan. It helps me as an athlete. It helps me understand things from a fan's point of view. I love it."

At the team's holiday party recently, Maryland's players and coaches gave Jordan several gifts. The one he treasured most was a championship ring.

"He was really emotional, in tears," Coach Brenda Frese said. "He said that was the first ring he's ever received. It was special to receive it from his girls."

Jordan wears the ring everywhere these days. He is especially looking forward to showing it off when a certain ACC team comes to town today.

"I can't wait for Carolina to come here so I can ask [guard Ivory] Latta how her ACC championship ring feels," Jordan said. "And let her know that this national championship ring feels a lot better."