Aaron Bradshaw Louisville Doesn’t Exist Shirt: Defining the ‘Louisville Doesn’t Exist’ Movement

If you are a fan of college basketball, you probably know about the intense rivalry between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals. The two teams have been playing each other since 1913, and have met 53 times, with Kentucky leading the series 37-16. The rivalry has produced many memorable moments, such as the 1983 Dream Game, the 2012 Final Four showdown, and the 2019 overtime thriller.

But what does it mean when a Kentucky player wears a shirt that says “Louisville Doesn’t Exist”(Aaron Bradshaw wears “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” shirt in video of Wildcats getting Drake gear)? Is it just a harmless joke, or a sign of disrespect? In this blog post, we will explore the origin, meaning, and impact of this slogan that has sparked controversy and debate among fans and media.

Our guy @Drake hooking us up with some 🔥 kicks. pic.twitter.com/qj2WMt5hxY

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 19, 2023

The Origin of the Slogan

The slogan “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” was inspired by a quote from Kentucky coach John Calipari in October 2011. When asked if fans from any other school would camp out for tickets to Midnight Madness, Calipari said: “Other states have other programs. Michigan has Michigan State. California, UCLA has all those … North Carolina has Duke. It’s Kentucky throughout this whole state, and that’s what makes this unique.”

Calipari’s comment was seen as a slight to Louisville, which is also located in Kentucky and has a storied basketball tradition. Louisville coach Rick Pitino responded by saying: “Four things I’ve learned in my 59 years about people. I ignore the jealous, I ignore the malicious, I ignore the ignorant and I ignore the paranoid. If the shoe fits anyone, wear it.”

A few months later, in December 2011, Joe Staley, the owner of a Lexington street wear shop called Oneness, came up with the slogan “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” based on Calipari’s quote. He printed it on blue and black T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts and waited until the week of the Kentucky-Louisville game to start selling them. He said he wanted to do something provocative and edgy to stir up the rivalry.

The Meaning of the Slogan

The slogan “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” can be interpreted in different ways, depending on who you ask. Some might see it as a playful taunt, a way of expressing loyalty to Kentucky and mocking Louisville. Others might see it as an arrogant claim, a way of denying Louisville’s existence and relevance. Still others might see it as a factual statement, a way of reflecting Kentucky’s dominance and superiority over Louisville.

Staley, the creator of the slogan, said he meant it as a joke, not as an insult. He said he respects Louisville as a program and a city, but he also enjoys poking fun at them. He said he wanted to create something that would get people talking and laughing.

However, not everyone took it as a joke. Some Louisville fans were offended by the slogan, and felt it was disrespectful to their team and their city. They argued that Louisville does exist, and has a rich history and culture that goes beyond basketball. They also pointed out that Louisville has won three national championships, one more than Kentucky.

The Impact of the Slogan

The slogan “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” has had a significant impact on the rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville. It has become a popular catchphrase among Kentucky fans, who often wear it on shirts, hats, banners, and stickers. It has also become a source of motivation for Louisville players, who use it as a bulletin board material to fuel their performance against Kentucky.

One of the most notable examples of this was in 2013, when Louisville beat Kentucky in the Final Four en route to winning the national title. After the game, Louisville guard Russ Smith said: “We exist now.”

Another example was in 2021, when Kentucky freshman forward Aaron Bradshaw wore a “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” shirt in a video of the Wildcats receiving new sneakers from rapper Drake. Bradshaw’s shirt caught the attention of many fans and media outlets, who wondered if he was aware of the meaning and history behind it.

Bradshaw later explained that he wore the shirt because he liked how it looked, not because he wanted to disrespect Louisville. He said he did not know much about the rivalry or the slogan before coming to Kentucky. He also said he had no problem with Louisville or its players.

Conclusion

The slogan “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” is more than just a catchy phrase. It is a symbol of one of the most heated rivalries in college basketball. It represents the passion, pride, and humor of Kentucky fans, as well as the frustration, anger, and determination of Louisville fans. It also reflects the different perspectives and interpretations of the two fan bases, who often disagree on what the slogan means and how it should be taken.

Whether you love it or hate it, you cannot deny that the slogan “Louisville Doesn’t Exist” has added another layer of intrigue and excitement to the Kentucky-Louisville matchup. It is a slogan that will likely continue to be used and debated for years to come.