Flava Flav has lived a decades-spanning life marked by extreme highs and some necessary lows, but life is certainly sweet for the man who is arguably Hip-Hop's best man. The founding member of the famous collective Public Enemy is in Paris to support the US water polo teams, fueled by his passion to be a dad to girls and to elevate women in sports.
As reported by Associated PressFlava Flav, 65, is enjoying his first up-close Olympics experience after years of watching the games on TV. His enthusiasm and million dollar smile were hard to miss for anyone watching the US water polo teams, more specifically the women's team.
From AP:
Flav, a founding member of hip-hop group Public Enemy, is in Paris as part of his duties as the official hype man for USA Water Polo — a partnership formed after he connected with USA captain Maggie Steffens on Instagram in May.
Flav, 65, embraces his new responsibilities with his usual seemingly boundless enthusiasm.
“I'm so ready, man. … I'm so excited right now with this sport,” said Flav, wearing a custom USA Water Polo watch around his neck. “I wish I could play it. I'm advertising right now to ask them to let me in the team.”
The paper goes on to add that Flava Flav reached out to Maggie Steffens on social media after learning about how the group has struggled financially. Flav offered to sponsor the team, sparking the partnership. As seen in the report, Flav will partner with USA Water Polo for five years, while using his fame to bring exposure to the sport. It should be noted that the women's water polo team has won the gold medal in the three previous Summer Olympics.
Additionally, Flav's work with the team brings the sport into the homes of black families as they learn about the little-known sport. One team member, Ashleigh Johnson, who is the first black member of the Olympic water polo team, added that Flav's work is reaching those communities and beyond.
In sad news, Steffens is currently mourning the loss of her sister-in-law and artist Lulu Conner, sister of her husband, Bobby Conner. Ms. Conner designed the custom watch that Flava Flav wore to the games, she says PEOPLE.
Details are scarce, but Steffens confirmed it was a medical emergency.
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Photo: Getty