The Carolina Panthers cornerback takes stock of his over-the-top footwear collection.
Pairs owned: 1,000
Brands: Adidas, Android Homme, Balenciaga, Buscemi, Christian Louboutin, Cole Haan, Freeman Plat, Gucci, Jordan, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Toms, Vans and various custom looks.
Favorite pairs: Dennis Rodman Nike “Air Worms,” Nike Air Mags, Air Jordan 1 “Bred Python” by JBF Customs. “The Nike Air Mags were about $2,800, and today can go as high as $10,000.”
Organizational skills: “I had a house built in Nashville, Tenn., two years ago around my bedroom closet. The decorator looked at me as if I was crazy. I have 300 pairs of shoes in my closet, with another 700 stored in plastic boxes in an attic space.”
How long I’ve been collecting: “Nine years — since I joined the NFL. But my longtime friend [and footwear designer] Christopher Dixon and I have loved shoes since early on, even before middle school.”
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Most expensive pair: “Nike x Sole Collector Penny Signature Pack sold exclusively at Nike in Las Vegas. There were five styles packed in a sweet-looking wooden box that I paid $2,000 for and can now sell for well over $10,000.”
Least expensive pair: Toms Classic slip-ons for less than $50.
Most coveted kicks: “My Louboutins. I have about 100 pairs of his lace-up sneakers — some in python and Swarovski crystals that I paid $2,000 to $3,000 to get.”
On-the-field footwear: “I wear Nike cleats. Nike also gives players a monetary allotment each year, so I just buy and buy. However, I go one step further and have them customized. I like to be different but have to stay within the team’s color scheme. I had them customized by Marcus Rivero/Soles by Sir.”
Best store for shoe shopping: “Social Status in Charlotte, N.C., and Uptown in Miami. They have one-off and quirky styles that you don’t find in Foot Locker. I have two good buddies who work in these stores. Whenever they get shoes that are rare that they think I’ll like, they send me pictures.”
Shopping companion: “I like to shop solo. Footwear is like artwork. People don’t always see what you see. Sometimes I like to pick up a shoe, turn it around and then put it on. You don’t want to waste anyone else’s time shopping since they may not like what you like.”
Stylish celebrity I admire: “Usher. He can take a suit and wear it with sneakers or dress shoes. Fashion has no limits nowadays. You do want to make a look your own. Shoes can make or break an outfit.”
Dream shoe: “My business partner, Christopher Dixon, of new women’s brand Christopher Coy, designed the Finn [men’s style] for me. It’s a little bit of everything I like all rolled into one. It’s a prototype right now, but we plan to make it one day.”
Favorite shoe designer: “Tinker Hatfield. I loved what he did early on at Nike. The shoes had so much soul.”
