In August 1963, when I was a close-minded 13-year-old and America was smothered by conformity, the new name of Philadelphia’s new NBA team seemed both revolutionary and ridiculous.
The 76ers?
What were they thinking?
Pro teams bore the names of animals or historical figures, not numbers. The two exceptions – the NFL’s 49ers and baseball’s Colt .45s – at least referenced familiarly used terms. Everyone knew the 49ers were California gold-rushers and Colt .45s six-shooters.
But who had ever called anyone associated with the Declaration of Independence in 1776 a 76er?
The then-unusual moniker bemused Philly’s sports community.