And now @TheRealJRSmith trying to start an #Indians rally by taking his shirt off #game7 @KingJames loved it pic.twitter.com/rVACx3QKZg
— Andy Scholes (@AndyScholesCNN) November 3, 2016
Going into the World Series, the best thing about it was that it featured two of professional sports’ longest-suffering franchises, one of whom would eventually come out on top. The Indians, of course, were hoping that they could follow in the Cavs’ footsteps and bring the city its second championship after a more than 50-year drought.
But that looked in doubt after the Cubs raced out to an early lead. Enter J.R. Smith. He joined a contingent of Cavs’ players who showed up to Game 7 to cheer on the Indians, and when things started going downhill, proceeded to do what he does best, which was take off his shirt.
You’ll recall that Smith famously went shirtless for most of the summer following the Cavs’ NBA Finals victory, to the point that President Obama eventually had to intercede to help find J.R. some clothes. Miraculously, the Indians did, in fact, come back to the tie the game going into the ninth inning after Smith shed his garb.
At this point, folks around Cleveland are willing to do just about anything to avoid the karma of blowing a 3-1 lead in a championship series.
Well that just happened #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/gL6ssnpV5p
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_NBC4) November 3, 2016