World Cup: Ex-NBA star Richard Hamilton headed to Brazil, offers masks to Clint Dempsey | SIDELINE

Richard Hamilton with the Detroit Pistons

Masks are just plain cool. Ask Batman, the Phantom of the Opera or Richard "Rip" Hamilton.


So if US Soccer's medical staff decides Clint Dempsey has to wear one on Sunday in Manaus vs. Portugal to protect his broken nose, Hamilton has a suggestion for the US national team captain: Use mine.


The retired former NBA champion is apparently headed to Brazil with three of the plastic masks that became his trademark over most of his 14-year professional career, as he announced on his Instagram account:



"Rip" knows broken noses – while with the Detroit Pistons in the early 2000s, he had his shnozz busted three times and was told by doctors to wear facial protection or risk major reconstructive surgery. Fat bit of harm it did him, as he won an NBA title and was named an All-Star three times – and made sporting a mask on the court cool long before LeBron put one on.


So Deuce, if you need it, Rip's coming for you. He should be easy to find.