26 minute read
The Products in One Team’s Shop
Forney Products Power Jordan Anderson Racing
NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Jordan Anderson’s partnership with Forney Industries continues to pay dividends for the driver of the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro. Jordan Anderson Racing’s fab shop is stocked with the following products.
BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
FORNEY 220 AC/DC TIG WELDER PACKAGE
TEAM MEMBER TERRY ELMORE USES THE
Forney 220 AC/DC TIG Welder Package to build a track bar guide tube for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Chevrolet Camaro the team will race at Circuit of The Americas on May 22.
WHETHER IT’S KEEPING THE BATTERIES
charged in the race cars or keeping the team’s transport vehicles ready to fire off between races, the Forney 6V/12V Battery Charger keeps Jordan Anderson Racing running strong.
FORNEY PRO BLACK MATTE ADF WELDING HELMET
REGARDLESS OF WHAT MEMBERS OF THE
Jordan Anderson Racing team are faced with developing, fixing or building, they always rely on the Forney PRO Black Matte ADF Welding Helmet to keep their eyes and face safe from the elements while working in the fab shop.
THE 6V/12V 2 WHEEL BATTERY CHARGER IS
used often when the team is in a rush for a quick reliable charge or jump for the team hauler or sprinter in between races. The sleek and efficient styling fits in well at the shop alongside each of the other Forney products the team is proud to use.
JORDAN ANDERSON RACING Relies on Forney Products
Forney Industries is proud to partner with Jordan Anderson Racing, providing the team with several products to keep them successful and competitive on the race track.
The team received Forney’s lightweight torch kit that is effortless to store, easily carried from track to track and ready to weld right out of the box. This kit features built-in check valves and flashback arrestor to keep the team as safe as possible while using the torch.
They also received several products from Forney’s popular line of battery chargers, including two chargers, a jump starter with built-in air compressor and jumper cables. These products are ETL certified, portable and feature various charging capabilities to keep the team’s batteries charged and ready to race.
The team was also sent Forney’s surface cleaner to keep their garage looking clean and professional, several multipurpose magnets, the Forney 220 Multi-Process welder and more.
When asked about the various Forney products they received, owner/driver Jordan Anderson replied, “Our team relies on Forney every week to build the best possible parts to keep our cars and trucks running fast on the track and able to withstand whatever comes our way.”
To purchase any of these products, visit your local Forney dealer or forneyind.com. And don’t forget to cheer on the Jordan Anderson Racing Team this season.
BY RACHEL BIGUM, MARKETING GENERALIST
NASCAR: TRULY AMERICAN MADE
RACE FANS OF ALL AGES BLEED RED, WHITE AND BLUE
BY JARED TURNER
In the months following the tragic terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, well-known country music artist Toby Keith wrote, recorded and frequently performed a song called, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
Although the song had nothing to do with NASCAR, its title is an appropriate description for America’s favorite genre of auto racing, both then and now.
Whether it be NASCAR fans’ insistence on buying only Made-in-America products, or their love of tailgating, baseball and other outdoor events that scream Americana, or their devotion to working hard for every dollar while chasing the American Dream, NASCAR is – in many ways – “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
Stop and think about it: Is there anything more American than Chevrolets built in Detroit and Fords assembled just down the road in Dearborn, Michigan? Certainly not.
What about all those American flags flying proudly in the breeze from what would appear to be hundreds if not thousands of motorhomes and RVs parked at the track during a race weekend? If you think these fans are displaying their flags just for fun, you’re sadly mistaken.
These people – men, women and children of all ages – are patriotic to the core. They bleed Red, White and Blue.
NASCAR’s close ties with the U.S. military – whose members customarily have received royal VIP-style treatment during race weekends throughout the year – only further solidify the bond between NASCAR and all things USA.
In the following pages, check out some stories that clearly demonstrate the incredible degree to which NASCAR is truly American Made.
Living the American Dream Q&A with Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan
Named Entertainer of the Year in April by the Academy of Country Music, Luke Bryan has produced 26 chart-topping singles and four platinum albums since bursting onto the country music scene in 2007 with his first hit single, “All My Friends Say”. A native of Leesburg, Georgia, Bryan comes from humble beginnings as the son of a peanut farmer. His ascent to the top of the country music world was far from immediate, as he spent years writing songs, playing in local bars and clubs, eventually packing his bags and moving to the country music epicenter of Nashville, Tennessee, in 2001 to pursue his musical dreams. Since his first album was released, Bryan has sold nearly 13 million albums, played in packed venues in front of millions of fans, and won more than 50 awards while solidifying his status as one of country music’s biggest stars. Through it all, though, Bryan has remained humble while earning a reputation as an artist who carries a deep love for family and country – and this is evident from his music, including many of the songs he personally writes. NASCAR Pole Position recently sat down with Bryan to discuss his patriotism, his partnership with the Jockey clothing brand, his love for NASCAR and more.
YOU APPEAR TO HAVE A SPECIAL CONNEC-
TION TO NASCAR FANS. WHY DO YOU THINK
THAT IS?
I believe NASCAR fans and country fans are very similar in a lot of ways.
Their ideals of hard work and patriotism really line up with country music fan values.
HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE OVERLAP BE-
TWEEN FANS OF NASCAR AND COUNTRY
MUSIC?
NASCAR fans have their favorite drivers that they support forever. And when many country music fans pick their artists to get behind and love, you know you have those fans forever. It’s loyalty.
YOU APPEAR ON THE COVER OF NASCAR POLE PO-
SITION MAGAZINE BEHIND THE AMERICAN FLAG.
WHAT DOES THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE MEAN
TO YOU?
The American flag certainly means freedom and the sacrifices made by men and women to keep us free. It’s a symbol of pride, freedom, hope, equality and promise. It’s living in the land of the free. No one can tell you how big to dream, and you can dream as big as you want when you stand under that American flag!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH JOCKEY.
My partnership with Jockey is just the definition of working with a company that shares a lot of the same morals and values. It’s about the quality of their brand and aligning themselves with “Made in America” and being an American-made company of 144 years.
To know that I could partner with them and create a great brand with them is something I’m very excited about. And the fact they want to get my family involved and be associated with what we are all about is very appealing.
SHARE WITH US A FAVORITE NASCAR MEMORY?
My favorite NASCAR memory was being at the infield at the Daytona 500. My boys were really, really small, and we were skateboarding through the infield, and we got to watch the race as a family.
NASCAR FAN QUESTIONS
Which current NASCAR driver or personality do you think you’re the most like?
Historically, I’ve gotten to work with Brad Keselowski a lot. I feel like he speaks his mind and puts his emotions out there. I’ve always been a big fan.
Would you ever consider owning a NASCAR team?
I think I would always consider owning a team. Who doesn’t think having fast cars going around a track is amazing and fun? Building the team and going after the win!
What is your favorite race track and why?
I think Talladega is my favorite race track. Just its sheer size and speed!
If you went fishing tomorrow morning with a NASCAR personality (past or present), who would you like it to be and why?
I have to take Ryan Newman fishing. He’s a huge bass fisherman. I especially wanted to take him after he had his terrible wreck (at the 2020 Daytona 500). First, I wanted him to make it through it OK, but then I told him we have to go fishing.
Has anyone or anything in NASCAR ever inspired a song you have written?
I wrote a song called, “We Rode in Trucks” — not about NASCAR, but, hey, it all aligns.
If you were going to perform just one song for all the NASCAR drivers, what would it be?
“Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.”
The Rich Sound of John Rich
One of the most recognizable voices in country music, John Rich, is now bringing the American public a smooth, affordable, American-made whiskey, Redneck Riviera.
If you’ve been to a NASCAR tailgate, you’ve likely heard John Rich’s music blasting over a stereo system. The country music singer/
songwriter, along with Big Kenny, has forged one of the most prolific careers in country music in the 21st century. Big & Rich have made a career of being relatable and musically relevant since exploding into the public consciousness in 2003 as the rarest of breeds — true country music game changers. With 2004’s triple-platinum “Horse of a Different Color,” they were able to tap into the best strands of a wide spectrum of popular music, filter them through their pens and voices, and produce a sound that is instantly recognizable, if not classifiable.
This year, Rich mixed two of his passions - Redneck Riviera Whiskey and NASCAR - when he partnered with Jeffrey Earnhardt as an associate sponsor for the No. 0 Chevrolet for the full 2021 Xfinity Series season.
Rich recently joined NASCAR Pole Position to discuss his journey to becoming a whiskey brand owner and NASCAR partner.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY WITH AMERICANMADE PRODUCTS?
I look at my life, how I grew up with a high school diploma, how I grew up in a double-wide trailer in Amarillo, Texas. It was nothing fancy, but I had the American dream in my back pocket. I dreamed big and tried hard in music and with Redneck Riviera. I’ve been conscious of the opportunities I’ve had, and I support America for many reasons, and chief among them is the right to pursue happiness. It’s not the right to be happy, but the right to pursue happiness. It’s because of the men and women in our military who have been willing to fight - and if necessary, die - for future generations.
WHO DO YOU SEE AS YOUR CUSTOMER-BASE FOR THE REDNECK RIVIERA WHISKEY?
It’s the people who make our country really run and stay alive and vibrant. It’s working class people. It’s not the politicians or famous people. It’s the people you never know their names. They put their key in the truck and go to work and do a great job taking care of their families. They hit the weekend, and they take a little leftover money and have as much fun as they can. Then they get back to work. We have the slogan, “Work hard, play hard” right on the bottle. We celebrate a job well done and the people who go the extra mile.
WHY DID REDNECK RIVIERA DECIDE TO PARTNER WITH JEFFREY EARNHARDT?
The first time I was around anything NASCAR was back early in my career - maybe 1994 or 1995. I was a part of the band, Lone Star, and we sang the national anthem at the Bristol bowl. Dale Earnhardt was “The Man, The Myth, The
Legend” at that race. We were invited to be a part of the pit crew - not the official pit crew. We put on the coveralls and listened to him speak to his pit crew. He actually won that race. It was so intense and exciting to be a part of it. That’s what got me into NASCAR and just understanding the level of focus it takes.
It’s incredible. It turned out to be an iconic race. Earnhardt wrecked across the finish line, sliding right in front of Terry Labonte to win the race.
Later on, I saw Jeffrey come up through the ranks. I thought, “This is cool,” when I saw interviews with his fans. He cares about the military. I saw him holding a picture of a fallen military soldier. He put his name right on his door panel. He invited the family to the track. He didn’t have to do that. He feels the same way about the military as I do. Plus, he’s an Earnhardt. And I have those great memories of watching Dale (Sr.) at the track. Jeffrey grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He loves the product and keeps posting pictures of himself enjoying it with his friends. He has similar priorities with Folds of Honor and American-Made.
What’s In a Whiskey?
BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
Redneck Riviera Whiskey is produced and manufactured in the United States, despite the fact that John Rich’s profit margin is reduced due to his American-made commitment.
John Rich is the first to admit that he could make
more money as the owner of Redneck Riviera Whiskey by having the bottles manufactured overseas. In fact, he could save $0.72 per bottle by having the glass manufactured in China. Consider that almost 40,000 cases of Redneck Riviera Whiskey are manufactured annually, and the savings would be significant.
Why doesn’t he try to squeeze every penny he can out of his business? Not worth it, in his view.
“I can do that, but my patriotism is not for sale,” Rich said. “I can’t say I support American workers and want to see our country get stronger, but make a deal with an overseas company in a back room. I wouldn’t have integrity. That’s called being a hypocrite. I make enough to be happy.”
BLIND TASTE TEST
Redneck Riviera Whiskey was awarded the gold medal at the 2018 Los Angeles World Spirits Competition in June 2018. Of the five whiskeys that won gold of silver medals at
THE AMERICANMADE PARTS
THE BOTTLE
THE CORK
THE LABEL
THE WHISKEY the competition, Redneck Riviera was the lone distributor with an MSRP per bottle of less than $40. Redneck Riviera retails for between $20 and $25 per bottle.
“Pretty much anybody with a living wage can buy a bottle and afford it,” Rich said. “Those are my people. I’ve gone on and done big things, but in my spirit and heart, I’m a guy in Texas still swinging at it.”
FOLDS OF HONOR
Rich grew up in a family where he was taught that for every dollar earned a portion is to go to a charitable cause; this is known as ‘giving tithes’. He believes that it is the American way and a responsibility to provide for those who are less fortunate.
Folds of Honor is an organization founded by Lt.
Col. Dan Rooney that provides college scholarships for children and spouses of fallen soldiers. The charity gave out over $60 million in scholarships last year and 10% of the profits of sales of Redneck Riviera Whiskey go directly to the cause.
“It subsidizes the education for kids who lost Mom or Dad,” Rich said. “I couldn’t think of a better way to honor service than pay for the education of those left behind. We’ve funded over 100 scholarships and we’re on our way -- I believe -- to funding thousands.” Learn more at www.foldsofhonor.org/ WHERE TO BUY REDNECK RIVIERA WHISKEY?
Redneck Riviera Whiskey is in more than 10,000 stores across the county. To find it, go to www.redneckriviera.com. Find the store locator and enter your zip code. You can also order online have it shipped to your house.
THE RICH REPORT
From 1992 to 1998, John Rich
was a member of the band, Lonestar. He played bass guitar and alternated with Richie McDonald as lead vocalist. After departing from the band in 1998, he embarked on a solo career on BNA Records in the late 1990s, releasing two singles for the label and recording Underneath the Same Moon, which was not released until 2006. In 2001, he self-released Rescue Me, an album he was inspired to record by a cancer patient named Katie Darnell. By 2003, he joined Big Kenny to form the duo Big & Rich, who released three albums on Warner Bros.
BIG & RICH HIT SONGS
Song
Highest Rating Date Lost In This Moment 1 7/21/07 Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) 11 8/7/04 Look At You 13 11/15/14 Holy Water 8th of November Lovin’ Lately Big Time Comin’ To Your City Wild West Show California 15 1/29/05 18 9/2/06 19 10/15/16 20 5/14/05 21 12/17/05 21 4/17/04 32 11/18/17
American-Made Products for NASCAR Fans
Buying American-Made products is not just about patriotism. It also contributes to a stronger future for Americans through the support of local businesses.
BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
Solo Stove
BONFIRE BACKYARD FIRE PIT
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Forney Industries
220 ST PRO WELDER
THE SOLO STOVE BONFIRE IS A SMOKELESS
portable fire pit. The Signature 360-Degree Airflow Design™ does something you’ve never seen in a fire pit. It creates a super-efficient burn that’s not only mesmerizing to watch, but a joy to sit around and make memories. Strategically placed holes in the double-wall structure draw in air from the bottom and feed the heated oxygen to the top, resulting in a spectacular secondary burn. SOLOSTOVE.COM FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
FORNEY INDUSTRIES RECENTLY LAUNCHED
three welding machines and one plasma cutter. The Forney 220 ST PRO is among them, offering DC TIG and Stick capabilities, dual-input power of 120V/230V, and can weld half-inch thick material. The printed circuit board and its assembly are completed in P.R.C., but technicians at Forney assemble the rest of the machine with sheet metal, aluminum die-cast parts, aluminum extrusion handles and knobs – all of which are locally manufactured in Fort Collins, Colorado. Forney believes in the value of supplying jobs in the USA, while providing exceptional value to their customers. FORNEYIND.COM
Yoder Smokers
BARBECUE PITS
HUTCHINSON, KANSAS
YODER SMOKERS ARE NOT THE TYPICAL BARBECUE PIT YOU BUY DOWN AT
the local department store. These pits are designed for use at the biggest BBQ competitions, and in your own backyard where the competition can be just as stiff. Yoder constructs its line of competition-grade smoker pits to last a lifetime. In fact, that’s how long they guarantee them against burnout. Their pits have so much steel in them that even the smallest pit weighs in at 255 pounds… and the biggest pits weigh well over 1,200 pounds, before they even add a trailer to the weight. So, when your neighbor’s shiny polished-steel grill has burnt through and is headed for the dump, you’ll still be smoking away. YODERSMOKERS.COM
Airstream
AIRSTREAM BAMBI
JACKSON CENTER, OHIO
AIRSTREAM HAS GIVEN THE “BAMBI” NICKNAME TO ALL
single-axle travel trailers to denote their light, nimble size and their highly durable quality. Now, the brand is officially giving the Bambi name its own line of travel trailers. This travel trailer is an approachable way for novices to start their adventures and start living the Airstream life. The Bambi line represents some of Airstream’s smallest, easy-to-tow travel trailers and are available in floor plans of various sizes. Similar to the Basecamp and Nest, each new model can be towed by a wide range of crossovers, trucks and SUVs, which make them more accessible to novice campers and younger buyers. AIRSTREAM.COM
Channellock
STRAIGHT JAW TONGUE & GROOVE PLIERS
MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
CHANNELLOCK 440 12-INCH STRAIGHT JAW TONGUE & GROOVE PLIERS ARE
the tool every home and garage needs. They’re built to last with a PermaLock fastener to eliminate nut/bolt failure, reinforcing edge to minimize stress breakage and laser heat-treated teeth to provide a longer-lasting grip. These versatile pliers, made from high carbon U.S. steel, are durable enough to pass down to your kids. Channellock is proudly run by fifth-generation family members in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Available at Walmart, Lowe’s, Amazon and many more retailers. CHANNELLOCK.COM
WeatherTech
FLOORLINERS
BOILINGBROOK, ILLINOIS
WEATHERTECH FLOORLINERS ARE LASER-
measured to protect the front, back and even up the sides of your vehicle’s footwell. For ultimate strength and dependability, FloorLiners feature high-density core materials and are engineered with advanced surfacing that carries messy areas away from shoes and clothing. WEATHERTECH.COM
Benjamin Moore
AURA INTERIOR PAINT
MONTVALE, NEW JERSEY
THE ULTIMATE IN PERFORMANCE AND COLOR
vitality, Benjamin Moore Aura Interior paint delivers remarkable durability and offers the most advanced way to bring color to life. Engineered with patented Gennex Color Technology and available in four premium finishes, Aura Interior was engineered to deliver extreme hide for fewer coats and unsurpassed surface smoothness. Benjamin Moore Aura Interior is available exclusively at Benjamin Moore retailers across the United States.
Case Knives
TRU-SHARP KNIVES
BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA
THE PATRIOTIC KIRINITE TRAPPER
features a highly durable Kirinite acrylic grip draped in America’s own red, white and blue colors with Case’s own Tru-Sharp surgical steel Clip and Spey blades that can conquer almost any task. The knife is crafted at Case’s only factory in Bradford, Pennsylvania., and has a retail price of $74.99. CASEKNIVES.COM
Redneck Riviera Whiskey
PORTLAND, OREGON
REDNECK RIVIERA WHISKEY WAS AWARDED THE GOLD
medal at the 2018 Los Angeles World Spirits Competition in June 2018. Of the five whiskeys that won gold or silver medals at the competition, Redneck Riviera was the lone distributor with an MSRP per bottle of less than $40. Redneck Riviera retails for between $20 and $25 per bottle. Redneck Riviera Whiskey is in more than 10,000 stores across the country. REDNECKRIVIERA.COM
WorkArmor™ Gloves
LORTON, VIRGINIA
THE SWX™ TEXTILE USED BY WORKARMOR ™ IS
designed to provide the highest level of protection against slash, stab, cut, puncture and fire. While most competitive products deliver in a single area, WorkArmor™ offers a unique multifaceted fabric, which allows WorkArmor™ gloves to be used regardless of the job. Combining these protective elements with our breathable and washable fabric, you have a glove that delivers for the long haul. WORKARMOR.COM
Spencer Boyd’s Patriotism Runs Deep
TRUCK SERIES DRIVER SUPPORTS THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE
BY JARED TURNER
Some people wear their patriotism on their proverbial sleeve.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Spencer Boyd wears his on his socks – quite literally. But Boyd’s devotion to the United States of America runs a lot deeper than his red, white and blue undergarments.
One of Boyd’s chief passions in life is promoting the country he loves – the same country that has afforded him the opportunity to be a professional race car driver and make money doing something he thoroughly enjoys. “I really try to bring light to the American flag and what it means to me,” said the 25-year-old Creve Coeur, Missouri, native. “Basically, a lot of my family members are former military, and I feel fortunate to be able to drive race cars and chase my dream, and I feel like here in the United
States of America a lot of people pay that ultimate sacrifice for you to be able to chase your dreams, whether it’s starting a small business or working for a powerhouse company like Walmart that is able to do what they do.
“Maybe it’s being a baseball player or a race car driver. When you’re born in the United States, there are so many opportunities that you’re blessed with.”
Boyd is admittedly bothered when he sees others of similar age seemingly not taking as much pride in country. As the grandson of an
Air Force veteran and cousin of two Marines, he can’t help but be inspired by those who are willing to sacrifice so much for their country.
“They are often 18-year-old kids that decide to go serve,” he said. “That’s a hell of a decision to make, and I think that really opened my eyes to say, ‘Wow, whatever level they are in the military, whatever branch they choose, they really have bit off something really big here.’ So when someone says they’re in the military I’m like, ‘Wow.
Instant respect.’” Boyd tries to carry his patriotism with him everywhere he goes and year-round – even if he never served in the military himself.
“I’ve seen guys that are my age that are in the military who have a huge sense of pride and love their country,” Boyd said. “But guys that are more like me that just get the benefit from what those military guys and gals do, they maybe don’t have the same pride in their country or waving the flag, or they just do it one day a year – the Fourth of July.”
Whether it be sporting his patriotic socks, choosing to fly an American flag in his yard or making a conscious decision to purchase American-made products whenever possible, Boyd is all about taking his Americana-centered message to as big of an audience as possible.
“I know I’m not Dale (Earnhardt) Jr., but I do have some great fans and people that pay attention,” said Boyd, who has more than 37,000 followers on Instagram and in excess of 20,000 more on Twitter.
“I’m signing autographs for 5- and 6-year-olds and if I’m leaving some kind of influence, I’d like it to be a positive one. I really just feel fortunate to be able to be a race car driver, so anything I can do to raise awareness for the military and raise awareness for what those guys and gals have sacrificed is me just simply being proud to be an American.”
Last November, Boyd served as a “celebrity tour guide” for the third consecutive year at Bucks for the Brave – an annual event held at Trinity Oak’s Thumbtack Ranch in Batesville, Texas, where a select group of American heroes, including military veterans and law enforcement officials, can enjoy the hunting experience of a lifetime.
Record Rack – one of the sponsors on the No. 20 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Boyd – hosts the five-day hunting experience, which last year also afforded the deserving guests of honor an opportunity go fishing and clay shooting in between hunting excursions.
Each year that Boyd has participated in Bucks for the Brave, he’s considered himself even more honored and privileged to have spent time getting to know military heroes and hearing their stories.
“It’s one of those things you look forward to every time,” he said. “You leave feeling refreshed and just knowing you had a good time. And chances are, you left someone better than how they came.”
Prior to COVID-19 limiting the number of people NASCAR will allow in the infield at race tracks, Boyd would customarily host three or four Gold Star Families at the track over the course of a season. A Gold Star Family consists of the immediate family members of a fallen service member who died while serving in a time of military conflict.
“It’s a very unique experience,” Boyd said. “The first family that we hosted, I still talk to them on probably a monthly basis. They come to a couple races a year, they’re race fans in general. They’re out in California. So some of them you become friends with and it kind of sticks out, and that first one always sticks out to me. You meet the family and you start off with immediate respect. You hear about their son, husband or father that passed away and you hear all these stories.”
Each Gold Star Family – which Boyd is paired with but doesn’t personally choose – typically watches the race atop the driver’s pit box, stands with him on the starting grid during the national anthem and spends time with him in his team hauler during the race weekend.
“Whether it’s a brother that is there or someone’s son is honored there, I just try to show them a good time and show them appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice that their loved one paid,” Boyd said.
When Boyd thinks about the sacrifices so many people have made for his country, he can’t help but be a bit perplexed by the current political climate in which it seems like people almost need to justify why they choose to display an American flag or stand at attention during the national anthem.
“At the end of the day, I’m always going to stand for the flag, regardless, and I’m always going to have my hand on my heart, and I would expect the people I surround myself with to follow suit as a team and as a unit, for sure,” Boyd said. “At times like this, times that push you to stand up for yourself or stand up for your own beliefs, I think, ‘Hey, you need to stand up for what you believe in.’ I think that’s a positive of living in the United States, and if you’re one that believes you should stand for the flag, it’s probably more important now than ever.”
Boyd feels the same about his unique sock-wearing habit, which he began at age 16 and plans to continue for as long as he’s alive and well. As far as he’s concerned, the bigger his wardrobe of patriotic socks, the better. “I’ve got a pair of them on right now, and I wear them every single day,” Boyd said. “I probably have 50 different styles and probably 300 pair. It’s a lot of socks, and they don’t always look the same, so laundry can get kind of confusing. It becomes a task.” A task that couldn’t be more worth it to Boyd.
