Flavor Flav honors US water polo star’s sister-in-law who died after traveling to Paris
Legendary rapper Flavor Flav takes his title of “girl dad” very seriously. As a result, he became a sponsor and resident hype man for the United States’ women’s water polo team.
Over the last several days, Flavor Flav has been sitting in the stands watching the team dominate the pool so far. Decked out in his usual sunglasses and large clock necklace, the performer has also been seen donning a custom water polo cap.
The sight of Flavor Flav in the audience may seem unusual to some. But now the reason for his support is clear.
According to ESPN, after learning that several members of the women’s water polo team worked “multiple jobs” to compete at the Paris Olympics, Flavor Flav stepped up to provide monetary (and emotional) support to the team.
“As a girl dad and supporter of all women’s sports, imma personally sponsor you my girl, whatever you need. And imma sponsor the whole team,” Flavor Flav told American water poloist and team captain Maggie Steffens on Instagram. “My manager is in touch with your agent and imma use all my relationships and resources to help all y’all even more.”
Steffens told The Associated Press she couldn’t believe it. “My whole family was like, ‘Is this real? Flav is part of the water polo world now?’”
“I was like, ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to wear a clock right now,” Steffens continued. “That’s how I’m feeling.”
As a result, Steffens and Flavor Flav grew close.
And after learning about Steffens’ sister-in-law, he used his signature clock to pay tribute.
In a video posted on Instagram, Flavor Flav dons a clock that says “made with love by Lulu Conner.”
As Today reports, while traveling to Paris to watch Steffens compete, Conner, Steffens’ sister-in-law, died. She was 26 years old.
According to the AP, it remains unclear how Lulu died, but “a medical emergency” took place.
“She was so excited for the Olympic Games,” Steffens told the AP. “We’re really close. She’s the light of the world. She just brings so much joy to everyone. She always brings people together.”
Steffens opted to continue playing, admitted that it “definitely helps.”
“I’m like so out of body in a way right now. And I just keep trying to remind myself what Lulu would want and how she would be, you know, how can I embody her spirit the best. And Lulu was somebody that she gave 150% to everything she did.”
Steffens dropped a bouquet in the Seine during the opening ceremony as a way of paying tribute to Conner.